Infertility is medically defined as occurring when a woman is unable to get pregnant despite having unprotected sex for a year or longer. Because barriers fertility can exist in both men and women, it is often said that the couple, rather than the woman, is experiencing infertility.
Infertility Causes and Treatments
Every woman is born with a set number of eggs, which declines as she ages. To get pregnant, an egg released from a woman’s ovaries must be fertilized by sperm, travel down the fallopian tube, and attach to the side of her uterus. At any stage along the way, a problem may occur, resulting in a case of infertility.
Couples experiencing infertility have a range of treatment options. However, infertility treatment can come with many obstacles, including high costs, time burden, physical pain, shame and embarrassment , and social stigma . Talking to a trusted family member, friend, or therapist can often help men and women process the mix of complex emotions.
For women, the most common causes of infertility are primary ovarian insufficiency (early menopause ), ovulation disorders affecting egg release, uterine or cervical abnormalities, endometriosis (where tissue grows outside of the uterus), fallopian tube blockage or damage, polycystic ovary syndrome, and various hormonal imbalances. Certain cancers and their treatments can also negatively impact a woman’s fertility.
Male infertility may be caused by trouble with sperm delivery due to structural difficulties like testicle blockage or damage to the reproductive organs, sexual function concerns such as premature ejaculation, or genetic conditions including cystic fibrosis. Another root of male infertility may be abnormal sperm function or production, often due to genetic defects or health problems including diabetes or certain sexually transmitted diseases. Other risk factors include overexposure to certain environmental factors, such as alcohol , cigarette or marijuana smoke, chemicals, and pesticides, as well as frequent exposure to high temperatures (hot tubs and saunas). Specific cancers and their treatments can also be harmful to male fertility.
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