female infertility

If you’ve been trying to get pregnant for a while, at some point you’ll wonder what’s preventing you and your partner from conceiving a child. A couple is considered infertile if they’ve actively been trying to get pregnant for 12 months with no success. If you are 35 years or older, you only need to have tried for six months before you are considered an infertile couple.

If you find yourselves in this situation, there’s about a 30% chance you’re not getting pregnant due to female infertility.¹ But there’s an equal chance you’re not yet pregnant because of problems with your partner. And the remaining chances are that both of you are having issues, or your infertility is caused by unknown factors.

The most common reason for female infertility is a hormonal imbalance, which often leads to the inability to ovulate, or release, an egg. If you have irregular cycles, this may be a symptom of a hormonal imbalance, which is relatively easy to detect and treat.

Female infertility may also be due to a physical problem with your reproductive organs. Endometriosis, for instance, is an overgrowth of endometrial tissue in the fallopian tubes, on the outer surface of the uterus or on the ovaries. There are many medical illnesses that can cause female infertility, from pelvic inflammatory disease and sexually transmitted diseases to more surprising ailments like colitis, cancer and chronic stress.

Although the best time for some women to have a baby is often later in life, the decision to delay pregnancy can potentially reduce your chances of getting pregnant. Age plays a big role in your fertility – in your early 20s your fertility peaks, followed by a sharp decline after the age of 35. Any drastic change in your weight – whether you’ve packed on or shed the pounds – can also impact your chances of getting pregnant successfully.

So how do you know if you’re at risk for infertility? Our infertility risk wheel for women can help you figure out if you have any risk factors and how to take action. And if you’re experiencing a female symptom, it may be a good time to schedule a visit with your healthcare provider.