Fertility Conditions
Conditions that affect your fertility
From assessment to treatment, I provide comprehensive, personalised care for women’s fertility conditions and general reproductive health.
As complex as the human body is, there are a number of ways things can go wrong. Many systems within our bodies are interconnected in intricate ways. In addition to various systemic health conditions affecting female fertility, structural issues and genetic abnormalities can also play a role in your ability to conceive and maintain a healthy pregnancy.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
PCOS is a common hormone disorder, affecting 1 in 10 women of childbearing age. It’s characterised by irregular or absent menstrual periods and elevated levels of androgens (male hormones). This hormonal imbalance can also result in other distressing symptoms, including excessive hair growth on the face, chest, and back, acne, and weight gain.
While women with PCOS can still fall pregnant naturally, unpredictable or absent ovulation can make it difficult. Solutions for overcoming infertility from PCOS can include ovulation induction or IVF. Studies have also shown that losing some body weight if you have PCOS can help to regulate ovulation.
Female fertility conditions
Here are some of the more common gynaecological conditions I treat.
Uterine conditions
There are several uterine conditions that can cause infertility. Endometriosis is one of them. Other common disorders of the uterus include fibroids and polyps (benign growths), conditions such as a divided uterus (septate uterus), and intrauterine adhesions (abnormal bands of scar tissue).
Not all of these conditions will interfere with your fertility. But if I believe your pregnancy outcomes will be improved with treatment, I perform my own surgeries so you get continuity of care with me from beginning to end.
Endometriosis
Endometriosis occurs when the cells normally found lining the uterus (the endometrium) grow elsewhere in your body. These abnormal cells often grow around the ovaries or fallopian tubes and behind the uterus, but can even be found in the bladder and bowel. These endometrium-like tissues still respond to the hormonal signals for your monthly period, resulting in inflammation, pain, and scarring.
Endometriosis can impact your fertility due to scarring of the anatomy needed for successful conception, such as your fallopian tubes. I can treat endometriosis-related infertility with advanced laparoscopic surgery to remove the abnormal cell growth. If necessary, I may recommend IVF but it’s also important to remember that many women with endometriosis are still able to conceive without intervention.
Period disorders
Period disorders cover a range of conditions involving abnormal menstrual bleeding. Among others, this can include unusually heavy or prolonged periods (menorrhagia), infrequent periods (oligomenorrhoea), or a complete absence of periods (amenorrhoea).
Period problems tend to be a symptom of another condition, such as endometriosis, uterine fibroids, PCOS, psychological or physical stress, or hormonal disorders. Both the underlying condition and the abnormal periods can contribute to infertility, so we often need to consider our treatment approach on a case-by-case basis. In some cases, managing the underlying condition is enough to allow you to conceive naturally, but in other cases, we may need to consider assisted reproductive technologies such as IVF.