There are many causes of infertility, and sometimes, there isn’t a simple answer as to why you’re not getting pregnant. Only a healthcare provider can determine the cause and find the best treatment for you.
While causes of infertility vary, studies show that:
● 33% of infertility involves the partner with a uterus and ovaries.
● 33% of infertility involves the partner with a penis and testicles.
● 33% of infertility involves both partners or is unexplained.
Twenty-five percent of infertile couples have more than one factor that contributes to their infertility.
Infertility causes
Some causes of infertility affect just one partner, while others affect both partners. Risk factors for infertility include:
● Age, particularly being in your late 30s or 40s. For men, age begins affecting fertility closer to 50.
● Eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa and bulimia.
● Excessive alcohol consumption.
● Exposure to environmental toxins, such as chemicals, lead and pesticides.
● Over-exercising.
● Radiation therapy or chemotherapy.
● Sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
● Smoking and using tobacco products. (This behavior plays a role in about 13% to 15% of infertility cases.)
● Substance abuse.
● Having obesity or being underweight.
● Abnormalities of the hormone-producing centers of your brain (hypothalamus or pituitary).
● Chronic conditions and diseases.
Infertility causes for women and people assigned female at birth
Ovulation disorders are the most common cause of infertility in people with ovaries. Ovulation is the process in which your ovary releases an egg to meet sperm for fertilization.
These factors can contribute to female infertility:
● Endometriosis.
● Structural abnormalities of your vagina, uterus or fallopian tubes.
● Autoimmune conditions like celiac disease or lupus.
● Kidney disease.
● Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
● Hypothalamic and pituitary gland disorders.
● Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
● Primary ovarian insufficiency or poor egg quality.
● Sickle cell anemia.
● Uterine fibroids or uterine polyps.
● Thyroid disease.
● Prior surgical sterilization (tubal ligation or salpingectomy).
● Genetic or chromosomal disorders.
● Sexual dysfunction.
● Surgical or congenital absence of your ovaries.
● Infrequent or absent menstrual periods.
● Infertility causes for men and people assigned male at birth
The most common cause of male infertility involves problems with the shape, movement (motility) or amount (low sperm count) of sperm.
Other causes of male infertility include:
● Enlarged veins (varicocele) in your scrotum, the sac that holds your testicles.
● enetic disorders, such as cystic fibrosis.
● Chromosomal disorders, such as Klinefelter syndrome.
● High heat exposure to your testicles from tight clothing, frequent use of hot tubs and saunas, and holding laptops or heating pads on or near your testes.
● Injury to your scrotum or testicles.
● Low testosterone (hypogonadism).
● Misuse of anabolic steroids.
● Sexual dysfunction, such as erectile dysfunction, anejaculation, premature ejaculation or retrograde ejaculation.
● Undescended testicles.
● Previous chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
● Surgical or congenital absence of testes.
● Prior surgical sterilization (vasectomy).
