Infertility & Pregnancy Issues
Fertility problems may be caused by problems with either the man or woman in the relationship. However, infertility may also be related to multiple factors involving both partners, or other unexplained causes.
If a woman has had regular, unprotected sex for more than a year (or six months if she’s over 35) without conceiving, she should consult a doctor. It is important to note that nearly 90 percent of infertility problems can be successfully treated.
Common causes of fertility problems in men
- Blockages in the man’s ejaculatory duct that prevent sperm from getting into the ejaculate fluid.
- Varicocele (enlarged veins, similar to varicose veins, in the scrotum) raise the temperature in the testes, which may affect sperm production.
- Sperm allergy. The body develops antibodies that kill its own sperm. This is most common after a vasectomy, testicular torsion, infection, or trauma.
- Combination fertility problems. This is diagnosed when both partners have a fertility problem.
Common causes of fertility problems in women
- Endometriosis. A condition that occurs when tissue found in the uterine lining (called endometrial tissue) grows outside the uterus, usually in the abdominal-pelvic cavity.
- Ovulation problems. These relate to any condition (usually hormonal) that prevents the release of a mature egg from the woman’s ovaries.
- Poor egg quality. The eggs may be damaged or have chromosomal abnormalities, which prevent them from sustaining a pregnancy. The quality of a woman’s eggs declines significantly with age.
- Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). A condition in which small follicles in the woman’s ovaries don't develop into larger, mature follicles. Also characterized by hormone imbalances and unpredictable ovulation patterns.
- Blocked fallopian tubes. This prevents the man’s sperm from reaching the egg. It also prevents the fertilized egg from reaching the uterus. Leading causes include pelvic inflammatory disease, sexually transmitted infections such as chlamydia, and previous sterilization surgery.
- Sperm allergy. Some women (less than 2%) may have an immune reaction to sperm which causes the body to produce antibodies that kill sperm cells.
- Combination fertility problems. This is diagnosed when both partners have a fertility problem.
