03/05/2024
If you and your partner are struggling to have a baby, you're not alone. Millions of people around the world face the same challenge. Infertility is the medical term for when you can't get pregnant despite having frequent, unprotected s*x for at least a year for most couples.
Infertility may happen because of a health issue with either you or your partner, or a mix of factors that prevent pregnancy. But many safe and effective treatments can boost your chances of getting pregnant.
Symptoms
The main symptom of infertility is not getting pregnant. There may be no other clear symptoms. Some women with infertility may have irregular menstrual periods or no periods. And some men may have some symptoms of hormonal problems, such as changes in hair growth or s*xual function.
Many couples eventually will conceive — with or without treatment
When to see a doctor
You likely don't need to see a member of your healthcare team about infertility unless you've been trying to get pregnant for at least one year. But women should talk with a healthcare professional sooner if they:
• Are age 35 or older and have tried to conceive for six months or longer.
• Are over age 40.
• Have no periods, or irregular or very painful periods.
• Have known fertility problems.
• Have endometriosis or a history of pelvic inflammatory disease.
• Have had more than one miscarriage.
• Have gotten cancer treatment such as chemotherapy or radiation.
Men should talk to a healthcare professional if they have:
• A low number of s***m or other problems with s***m.
• A history of testicular, prostate or s*xual conditions.
• Had treatment for cancer such as chemotherapy.
• Had hernia surgery.
• Testicles that are smaller than the typical adult size, or swollen veins in the bag of skin that holds the testicles, called the sc***um.
• Had infertility with a partner in the past.
• Relatives with infertility problems.
All of the steps during ovulation and fertilization need to happen correctly in order to get pregnant. Ovulation is the release of an egg from an o***y. Fertilization is when the egg and s***m unite to form an embryo, which becomes an unborn baby during pregnancy. Sometimes, the issues that cause infertility in couples are present at birth. Other times, they develop later in life.
Infertility causes can affect one or both partners. In some cases, no cause can be found.
Causes of male infertility
These can include:
• Conditions that can affect how much s***m is made or s***m quality. These medical conditions can include undescended testicles, genetic defects, hormone problems and health problems such as diabetes. Infections such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, mumps or HIV also can impact s***m. Enlarged veins in the sc***um, called a varicocele, can affect s***m's quality.
• Problems with s***m reaching the female reproductive tract. These issues can be due to s*xual conditions such as premature ej*******on, certain genetic diseases such as cystic fibrosis, physical problems such as a blockage in the testicle, or damage or an injury to the reproductive organs.
• Certain factors in the environment. Exposure to pesticides, other chemicals or radiation can affect fertility. So can medicines that treat bacterial infections, high blood pressure and depression. And if the testicles often are exposed to heat, such as in saunas or hot tubs, that may affect their ability to make s***m.
• Damage related to cancer and its treatment. Cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation can affect s***m production.
Causes of female infertility
These can include:
• Ovulation disorders. These conditions affect the release of eggs from the ovaries. They include hormonal problems such as polycystic o***y syndrome. High levels of a hormone needed to make breast milk, called prolactin, also may have an effect on ovulation. Either too much thyroid hormone, called hyperthyroidism, or too little, called hypothyroidism, can affect the menstrual cycle or cause infertility. Other underlying causes may include too much exercise, eating disorders or tumors.
• Conditions of the uterus. These include growths called uterine polyps, issues with the shape of the uterus or problems with its lower end, called the cervix. Tumors in the wall of the uterus, called uterine fibroids, also may cause infertility — but they aren't cancer. Fibroids can block the fallopian tubes, where an egg and s***m unite. They also can stop a fertilized egg from attaching to the uterus, which needs to happen for an unborn baby to develop.
• Fallopian tube damage or blockage. Often, these issues are caused by swelling of the fallopian tube, called salpingitis. The swelling can happen due to an infection of the female reproductive organs called pelvic inflammatory disease.
• Endometriosis. With this condition, tissue that's similar to the inner lining of the uterus grows outside of the uterus. It may affect the how well the ovaries, uterus and fallopian tubes work.
• Primary ovarian insufficiency. This happens when the ovaries stop working as they should, and menstrual periods end before age 40. The cause is often unknown. But some factors linked with primary ovarian insufficiency include immune system diseases, genetic conditions such as Turner syndrome, and radiation or chemotherapy treatment.
• Pelvic adhesions. These are bands of scar tissue that bind organs. They can form after a pelvic infection, appendicitis, endometriosis, or surgery of the abdomen or pelvis.
• Cancer and its treatment. Certain cancers — especially ones that affect the reproductive organs — often reduce female fertility. Both radiation and chemotherapy may affect fertility as well
