Menstrual cycles and fertility
Menstrual cycles are an important part of female fertility. A typical monthly menstrual cycle prepares the body for conception and is regulated by hormones.9,10
An infrequent (or irregular) menstrual cycle could be a sign that there is an underlying medical condition that needs to be addressed.11
Tip
If you have any chronic conditions, it’s important to make sure that they are well controlled before trying to conceive, so you’re at your healthiest when starting your path to parenthood.
Each part of the reproductive system has a role to play in conceiving and carrying a pregnancy to term. This also means that if there is a problem with any part, it could make conceiving or carrying a pregnancy to term more challenging.12
Main parts in the female reproductive system and some medical conditions that could impact them13,14
Ovaries
produce eggs.
Fallopian tubes
are pathways through which an egg must travel to reach the uterus. Eggs are fertilised by sperm in the fallopian tubes.
The uterus
is a hollow pear-shaped organ where the fetus grows.
The cervix
is the lower part of the uterus.
The cervical canal
is a narrow passageway that runs through the cervix, connecting the vagina to the uterine cavity.
The endometrium
lines the uterus and is where the fertilised egg implants.
The vagina
is where semen enters the body.
syndrome
Polycystic ovary syndrome
A condition in which the ovaries produce higher than normal amounts of male sex hormones that interfere with ovulation.15 It is the most common cause of female infertility.16
Endometriosis
Occurs when tissue that normally lines the inside of the uterus is found in other places, like the fallopian tubes, and can cause blockages.15
Uterine fibroids
Noncancerous growths that can form in and around the uterine wall. Sometimes fibroids can affect fertility by:
- Changing the shape of the uterus or position of the cervix
- Blocking the fallopian tubes
- Interfering with blood flow to the uterus15
cervical mucus
Inhospitable cervical mucus
Can prevent sperm from entering the uterus.17
of the uterus
An unusual shape of the uterus
Can cause people assigned female at birth to have trouble getting pregnant or to miscarry.17, 20
disease
Pelvic inflammatory disease
Is usually caused by a sexually transmitted infection; it can cause damage and blockages in the fallopian tubes.17-19
Wondering how infertility is diagnosed?
Doctors use a range of diagnostic tests to help identify potential underlying factors that could impact fertility.
- Family planning NSW. Infertility. Available at: https://www.fpnsw.org.au/factsheets/individuals/fertility-and-infertility/infertility. Accessed April 2024.
- World Health Organization. Infertility. September 2020. Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/infertility. Accessed April 2024.
- Cleveland Clinic. Diminished ovarian reserve. Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23975-diminished-ovarian-reserve. Accessed April 2024.
- Your Fertility. Age and reproductive outcomes. Available at: https://www.yourfertility.org.au/sites/default/files/2018-11/Age_and_reproductive_outcomes.pdf. Accessed April 2024.
- Your Fertility. Thinking about having a baby? Available at: https://www.yourfertility.org.au/sites/default/files/2019-03/Thinking_about_having_a_baby_resource.pdf. Accessed April 2024.
- Healthline. What is a normal sperm count? Reviewed August 2018. Available at: https://www.healthline.com/health/mens-health/normal-sperm-count. Accessed April 2024.
- Healthline. How does sperm morphology affect fertility? Reviewed August 2017. Available at: https://www.healthline.com/health/sperm-morphology. Accessed April 2024.
- Medical News Today. How does sperm motility affect fertility? Reviewed November 2017. Available at: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320160. Accessed April 2024.
- Cleveland Clinic. Female reproductive system. Reviewed November 2022. Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/9118-female-reproductive-system. Accessed April 2024.
- Oyelowo T. Menstrual cycle. In: Mosby’s guide to women’s health. Missouri: Mosby, 2007: pp 11–15.
- MSD Manual. Overview of infertility. Reviewed September 2020. Available at: https://www.msdmanuals.com/en-nz/professional/gynecology-and-obstetrics/infertility/overview-of-infertility. Accessed April 2024.
- Jain M, Singh M. Assisted reproductive technology (ART) techniques. In: StatPearls. Treasure Island: StatPearls Publishing, 2023. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK576409. Accessed April 2024.
- Oyelowo T. Anatomy, physiology, and neurology. In: Mosby’s guide to women’s health. Missouri: Mosby, 2007: pp 1–7.
- Patton KT, et al. Anatomy and physiology, 11th ed. Missouri: Elsevier, 2022.
- National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. What are some possible causes of female infertility? Available at: https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/infertility/conditioninfo/causes/causes-female. Accessed April 2024.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Infertility FAQs. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/infertility/index.htm. Accessed April 2024.
- Mayo Clinic. Female infertility. Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseasesconditions/female-infertility/symptoms-causes/syc-20354308. Accessed April 2024.
- Mayo Clinic. Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseasesconditions/pelvic-inflammatory-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20352594. Accessed April 2024.
- Oyelowo T. Pelvic inflammatory disease. In: Mosby’s guide to women’s health. Missouri: Mosby, 2007: pp 168–71.
- Cleveland Clinic. Uterine factor infertility. Reviewed January 2020. Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17738-uterine-factor-infertility. Accessed April 2024.
- Healthy Male (Andrology Australia). Male infertility. Reviewed May 2018. Available at: https://www.healthymale.org.au/files/resources/male_infertility_fact_sheet_healthy_male_2019.pdf. Accessed April 2024.
- Mayo Clinic. Infertility. Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseasesconditions/infertility/symptoms-causes/syc-20354317. Accessed April 2024.
- Gnoth C, et al. Hum Reprod 2008; 23(6): 1359–65.
- Zhang LJ, et al. BC Med J 2020; 62(9): 319–22.
- Healthline. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): symptoms, causes, and treatment. Reviewed April 2021. Available at: https://www.healthline.com/health/polycystic-ovary-disease. Accessed April 2024.
