INFERTILITY

Infertility means you cannot get pregnant (conceive).
There are 2 types of infertility:
Primary infertility refers to couples who have not become pregnant after at least 1 year having sex without using birth control methods.
Secondary infertility refers to couples who have been able to get pregnant at least once, but now are unable.
Causes
Many physical and emotional factors can cause infertility. It may be due to problems in the woman, man, or both.
FEMALE INFERTILITY
Female infertility may occur when:
A fertilized egg or embryo does not survive once it attaches to the lining of the womb (uterus).
The fertilized egg does not attach to the lining of the uterus.
The eggs cannot move from the ovaries to the womb.
The ovaries have problems producing eggs.
Female infertility may be caused by:
Autoimmune disorders , such as antiphospholipid syndrome (APS)
Birth defects that affect the reproductive tract
Cancer or tumor
Clotting disorders
Diabetes
Drinking too much alcohol
Exercising too much
Eating disorders or poor nutrition
Growths (such as fibroids or polyps) in the uterus and cervix
Medicines such as chemotherapy drugs
Hormone imbalances
Obesity
Older age
Ovarian cysts and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
Pelvic infection resulting in scarring or swelling of fallopian tubes (hydrosalpinx) or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
Scarring from sexually transmitted infection, abdominal surgery or endometriosis
Smoking
Surgery to prevent pregnancy (tubal ligation) or failure of tubal ligation reversal (reanastomosis)
Thyroid disease
MALE INFERTILITY
Male infertility may be due to:
Decreased number of sperm
Blockage that prevents the sperm from being released
Defects in the sperm
Male infertility can be caused by:
Birth defects
Cancer treatments, including chemotherapy and radiation
Exposure to high heat for prolonged periods
Heavy use of alcohol, marijuana, or cocaine
Hormone imbalance
Impotence
Infection
Medicines such as cimetidine, spironolactone, and nitrofurantoin
Obesity
Older age
Retrograde ejaculation
Scarring from sexually transmitted infections (STIs), injury, or surgery
Smoking
Toxins in the environment
Vasectomy or failure of vasectomy reversal
Healthy couples under age 30 who have sex regularly will have a 25% to 30% per month chance of getting pregnant each month.
A woman is most fertile in her early 20s. The chance a woman can get pregnant drops greatly after age 35 (and especially after age 40). The age when fertility starts to decline varies from woman to woman.
Infertility problems and miscarriage rates increase significantly after 35 years of age. There are now options for early egg retrieval and storage for women in their 20’s. This will help ensure a successful pregnancy if childbearing is delayed until after age 35. This is an expensive option, but for women who know they will need to delay childbearing, it may be worth considering.