What is required for a couple to become pregnant? In order for a couple to become pregnant, at least four things have to happen: A woman must produce and release a healthy egg from one of her ovaries (ovulation). A man must produce viable sperm which can successfully fertilize the woman’s egg (fertilization). The egg must travel through a fallopian tube toward the uterus (transportation). The fer ...

Uterine or cervical causes Several uterine or cervical causes can impact fertility by interfering with implantation or increasing the likelihood of a miscarriage: Benign polyps or tumors (fibroids or myomas) are common in the uterus. Some can block fallopian tubes or interfere with implantation, affecting fertility. However, many women who have fibroids or polyps do become pregnant. Endometriosis ...

Secondary infertility is the inability to become pregnant or to carry a baby to term after previously giving birth to a baby. Secondary infertility shares many of the same causes of primary infertility. Secondary infertility might be caused by: Impaired sperm production, function or delivery in men Fallopian tube damage, ovulation disorders, endometriosis and uterine conditions in women Complica ...

Medical conditions Some medical conditions can affect fertility. Ovulation disorders appear to be the most common cause of infertility in women. Ovulation is the monthly release of an egg. The eggs may never be released or they may only be released in some cycles. Ovulation disorders can be due to: Premature ovarian failure: The ovaries stop working before the age of 40 years. Polycystic ovary ...

Infertility treatment Treatment to help a person conceive naturally will depend on many factors, including the age of the person who wishes to conceive, how long infertility has lasted, personal preferences, and their general state of health. Frequency of intercourse The first strategy a couple trying to conceive may wish to try is having sexual intercourse more often around the time of ovulation ...

When to see a Doctor: You probably don't need to see a doctor about infertility unless you have been trying regularly to get pregnant for at least one year. Women should talk with a doctor earlier, however, if they: Are age 35 or older and have been trying to conceive for six months or longer Are over age 40 Have irregular or absent periods Have very painful periods Have known fertility problems ...

About one-third of these cases are due to female fertility problems, one-third to male fertility problems, and the rest to factors involving both partners or to unexplained causes. If you've had regular, unprotected sex for more than a year without conceiving (or six months if you're older than 35), see your doctor. About 65 percent of couples that get treatment for a fertility problem are eventu ...

Neural tube defects are birth defects of the brain, spine, or spinal cord. They happen in the first month of pregnancy, often before a woman even knows that she is pregnant. The two most common neural tube defects are spina bifida and anencephaly. In spina bifida, the fetal spinal column doesn't close completely. There is usually nerve damage that causes at least some paralysis of the legs. In ane ...