Difficulty in the process of getting pregnant can be a source of anxiety for healthy couples experiencing delays in conception. And when the reason for the delay is unknown, such feelings of anxiety can become even more aggravated. Unexplained infertility can be a frustrating diagnosis but it doesn't necessarily mean that there is no longer a possibility of getting pregnant. Though the diagnosis is quite vague, there are still other options available that can help increase your chances of getting pregnant.
Unexplained infertility is more of a situation rather than a condition. A fertility specialist or health care provider may not be able to find a medical explanation as to why there is difficulty getting pregnant. It is possible that there is nothing physically preventing the woman from getting pregnant. It is also possible that the doctors simply don’t know the reason what prevents pregnancy from happening.
Possible Causes of Unexplained Infertility
Causes of unexplained infertility are not known that is why it is called as such. However, the following factors have been found to play a role causing difficulties and delays in pregnancy:
· Abnormal Fallopian Tubes - Any abnormality in the fallopian tubes, no matter how insignificant it may seem, may lead to unexplained infertility. Fallopian tubes contain minute structures like the fimbria and the cilia that help to sweep the egg cells down into the uterus. Any problem prevent the eggs from being fertilized.
· Abnormal Eggs – Since ovaries are equipped with thousands of eggs, it is unlikely that not one of them would be suitable for fertilization unless there is abnormality in the size or shape of the eggs or in the chromosomes they contain.
· Weak Sperm – Unhealthy or abnormal sperm can also affect pregnancy outcome. In order to become fertilized, sperm must be able to break through the outer shell of the egg. When even seemingly healthy-looking sperm are not strong enough to break through the egg to fertilized it, no embryo will be created.
· Luteinised Unruptured Follicle (LUF) Syndrome - During the maturation process, eggs are stored inside a tiny membrane called a follicle. This follicle will release an egg through ovulation. After that egg has moved into the fallopian tubes the membrane leftover is referred to as the corpus luteum. LUF is caused when the follicles become corpus luteum before releasing the egg – in effect, trapping it inside. Thus, ovulation is blocked.
· Abnormal Luteal Phase – Luteal phase is the new phase of the menstrual cycle which starts when the egg has been released from the ovaries. It is during this phase that the corpus luteum begins to produce progesterone – the hormone responsible for stimulating the uterus to prepare the endometrial lining for implantation. If, however, the progesterone levels rise too quickly or too slowly, or if the hormone was not produced for a long enough period, the endometrium will not be properly prepared for implantation.
· Immune System Problems - The immune system is designed to protect the body from any invading organisms. However, it can sometimes become confused, and start to attack healthy cells. When a woman’s immune systems begins to attack her own eggs or a man's immune system causes the sperm to stick together, pregnancy will not happen.
· Emotional Factors – The reproductive system is controlled by the brain. That is why any emotional problem affecting the psychological well-being of the couples can cause infertility.
Unexplained Infertility Treatment
No matter how frustrating unexplained infertility is for couples trying to conceive, there are always infertility treatments available that can help induce pregnancy:
· Fertility drugs - helps stimulate egg production, thereby greatly improving you chances of getting pregnant.
· Intrauterine insemination - entails placing sperm from your partner in a catheter, thereby increasing the chances of sperm meeting with the egg. The sperm is then released into the uterus in hopes that it will fertilize one of the eggs. This procedure is considered to be one of the most popular forms of assisted reproductive technology.
· In-vitro fertilization is another popular and very successful way to address unexplained infertility particularly problems concerning the fallopian tubes or ovaries. Eggs are removed from your ovaries and fertilized in a dish containing the partner's sperm. The difference between IVF and IUI is that instead of fertilization taking place inside the uterus, it takes place in the laboratory. Once the eggs have developed into embryos, they are then implanted back into your uterus. However, success rates may vary depending on the woman’s age.
