What is infertility? Infertility is a condition of your reproductive system that causes people to be unable to get pregnant (conceive). Infertility can affect anyone and has many causes. Getting pregnant involves several steps: Your brain must produce reproductive hormones that control ovarian function. An egg must mature in your ovary. Your ovary must release an egg (ovulation). Your fallopian t ...

Causes of female infertility may include: Ovulation disorders, which affect the release of eggs from the ovaries. These include hormonal disorders such as polycystic ovary syndrome. Hyperprolactinemia, a condition in which you have too much prolactin — the hormone that stimulates breast milk production — also may interfere with ovulation. Either too much thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism) or too l ...

Definition of infertility A diagnosis of infertility means you haven’t been able to get pregnant after a year of trying. If you’re a woman over 35, it means you haven’t been able to get pregnant after 6 months of trying. Women who are able to conceive but not carry a pregnancy to term may also be diagnosed with infertility. A woman who’s never been able to get pregnant will be diagnosed with pri ...

Her Risks: There are certain things that apply only to women. Any one of the following could cause problems with ovulation, hormones, or your reproductive organs: Endometriosis Fallopian tube disease Chronic disease like diabetes, lupus, arthritis, hypertension, or asthma Two or more miscarriages History of irregular periods Early menopause (before age 40) An abnormally shaped uterus Polyps in yo ...

Lifestyle issues affecting conception: Lifestyle issues that impede fertility are factors that one can often change by choices and behaviors. As such, we encourage people having troubling getting pregnant to try these changes first, if they are applicable. Most of the lifestyle issues can affect both men and women. Weight: This is one of the primary lifestyle issues that can cause infertility in ...

Men: Male infertility can be treated in a variety of ways, depending on the cause. Treatment options for men can include surgery, medication, and assisted reproductive technology (ART). Surgery can fix obstructions that are preventing sperm from being present in the ejaculate. It can also correct conditions such as varicocele. In some cases, sperm can be retrieved directly from the testicles afte ...

Tubal factors Blocked or damaged fallopian tubes prevent sperm from getting to your egg and also prevent the fertilized egg from getting to your uterus. Leading causes of tube problems include pelvic inflammatory disease, sexually transmitted infections (such as chlamydia), and previous sterilization surgery. Possible symptoms: None. Possible solutions: Surgery to open the tubes. If surgery fail ...

Causes in women Infertility in women can also have a range of causes. Risk factors Risk factors that increase the risk include: Smoking significantly increases your risk of infertility Age: The ability to conceive starts to fall around the age of 32 years. Smoking: Smoking significantly increases the risk of infertility in both men and women, and it may undermine the effects of fertility treatme ...