Silvia Azaña, embryologist at inviTRA, tells us in this video about the cervical alterations that could cause fertility problems:
Cervical alterations that can lead to infertility due to a cervical factor can be differentiated into anatomical or functional. In both cases, the proper migration of sperm to the uterus and fallopian tubes is affected.
Regarding anatomical alterations, an obstruction in the cervix usually occurs as a consequence. These would include developmental anomalies. These occur from birth as a result of defects in the fusion of the Müllerian ducts. For example, duplication of the cervix, cervical agenesis, or cervical hypoplasia.
Tumors such as polyps or cysts. Usually, their origin is benign, and they can be removed through surgical intervention. The most severe case would be cervical cancer, which can be caused by an infection with the human papillomavirus.
Traumas. These can be caused by surgery or occur occasionally. Cervicitis, inflammation of the cervix, acute or chronic. Generally, it is caused by microbial infections.
There are other alterations at the cervical level. However, their impact on women's fertility is minimal or has a very low incidence.
On the other hand, regarding functional alterations, they refer to the variation in the characteristics of cervical mucus, such as its consistency, quantity, acidity, etc. Any alteration in cervical flow can prevent sperm from entering the uterine cavity and, therefore, cause infertility.
The causes that provoke alterations in cervical mucus are as follows. Insufficient estrogen release. If an adequate amount of estrogen is not produced by the ovary during the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle, cervical mucus becomes thicker and does not allow sperm to pass during ovulation.
Medications. Infections. The invasion of microorganisms in the cervix also causes a disruption of the cervical mucus, in addition to the inflammation of the cervical walls, and anti-sperm antibodies when present in the cervical mucus.
