Reasons for Infertility

Although it may look on the surface like most couples have no trouble getting pregnant, the fact is that thousands of couples each year struggle with infertility, which is defined as the inability to become pregnant after a year of having well-timed, regular, unprotected intercourse. A hundred years ago, the stigma of infertility was usually laid solely at the feet of women, but now it’s recognized that reasons for infertility often extend to men, as well.

What Goes Wrong: Men

There are literally hundreds of causes of infertility in men, and in some cases doctors are unable to assign an actual reason behind it. There are, however, a few things that are more common than others; because a man must usually have plenty of healthy sperm in order to impregnate a woman, many of the problems with male infertility are due to conditions that compromise sperm count or quality. Unfortunately, there are a lot of things that can have a negative effect on sperm. Here are some of the most common:

  • Varicocele: Usually you hear about varicose veins in women’s legs, but they can also form in a man’s scrotum. The veins keep the environment in the scrotum too hot, which can prevent healthy sperm from forming.
  • Infections: It may not be surprising that many STD’s can cause a drop in male fertility, but it is surprising that some infections are completely undetectable except in problems with sperm.
  • Testosterone Deficiency or Imbalance: Hormones are just as important for men as they are for women, and men who have a deficiency or imbalance of testosterone may be unable to produce lots of healthy sperm.
  • Sexual Problems: No one likes to talk about sexual issues with a doctor, but it can be necessary in order for a couple to have a baby. Some men can’t get an erection, which leads to an obvious problem, and others ejaculate too early so that the sperm never reaches the egg. Also, many couples don’t know this, but some lubricants can actually kill sperm or keep them from moving freely through the woman’s vagina and fallopian tubes.
  • Malnutrition: In a day where many people subsist on French fries and burgers, it’s increasingly common for male infertility to be caused by vitamin deficiencies, especially deficiencies in zinc, selenium, folate, and vitamin C, all of which are important to the formation and health of sperm.
  • Environmental Issues: Men who are exposed to pesticides, who spend lots of time in very hot environments, or who smoke are much more likely to have fertility problems.
  • Age: The biological clock doesn’t only tick for women! Men over the age of forty are much more likely to struggle with infertility issues than younger men.

What Goes Wrong: Women

There are also many things that can go wrong on the female side of infertility, including polycystic ovarian syndrome and fallopian tube blockage. Most of these problems are treatable, but, again, you have to know what you’re dealing with. Here are a few common causes of female infertility:

  • Damage or Blockage in the Fallopian Tubes: There are many things that can damage the fallopian tubes, including scar tissue left over from abdominal surgeries. Infections in the tubes can also cause this problem, and women who have fallopian tube blockage are more likely to have an ectopic pregnancy, a dangerous situation in which an egg implants in the tubes instead of the uterus.
  • Endometriosis: This often painful disorder occurs when uterine tissue implants outside of the uterus; the tissue goes through the cycle of lining and bleeding with the uterus each month, causing scarring and other issues.
  • Ovulation Problems: Ovulation is a tricky hormonally-regulated procedure, and many women have low levels of the hormones needed for ovulation because of problems in the pituitary gland.
  • Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS): This happens when women produce too much of the hormone androgen, which causes issues with ovulation and which often results in obesity and insulin resistance.
  • Pelvic Adhesions: These occur when scar tissue unnaturally binds soft tissue together, often causing fallopian tube blockage and other reproductive issues.
  • Thyroid Problems: Women whose body’s produce too much or too little thyroid hormone are likely to have fertility issues.