LESS COMMON FACTORS AFFECTING FERTILITY
The uterus. Some people are born with an unusual uterus, it may be a different shape, which in itself does not always cause a problem (many women have no trouble having babies despite having a double uterus), but it might be a reason why a woman cannot conceive.
The uterus may have developed extra swellings in its muscle wall, changing the shape of the uterus and making it more difficult for the fertilised egg to implant. These are called fibroids, which are benign tumours. They are more commonly associated with heavier periods. Even small fibroids can sometimes interfere with fertility. Polyps within the cavity of the uterus may do the same thing.
Occasionally a condition similar to endometriosis can affect the wall of the uterus, The condition is called adenomyosis and is generally found in older women (closer to 40 years), and can give rise to painful heavy periods.
The cervix. When the sperm begin their trek onward and upward in the hope of finding an egg to fertilise, the first barrier they have to pass is the cervix. The cervix may cause a couple of different problems.
The cervix produces mucus which changes in quality at different times of the menstrual cycle. Around the time of ovulation it is positively trying to let those sperm through. If there is infection on the cervix, or the cervix has been damaged in some way, it may be more difficult for the sperm to make it through the mucus, or there may not be much mucus around.
Some women produce mucus which is hostile, or at least not helpful, to sperm. There can be antisperm antibodies in the cervical mucus, and this can interfere with the passage of sperm through the cervical canal.
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