Fertility challenges
Exploring the causes of infertility is the first step in understanding your fertility journey
>10 million
According to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention survey, 10.4 million women aged 15 to 49 faced fertility problems from 2015 to 2019.
Common causes of infertility in women
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)—a condition resulting from disruption in ovarian function in which the ovaries produce higher than normal amounts of male hormones
- Uterine fibroids—noncancerous growths that can form in and around the uterine wall and affect the physical characteristics of the uterus
- Endometriosis—occurs when tissue that normally lines the inside of the uterus is found in other places, like the fallopian tubes, and can cause scarring and blockages
The #1 cause of fertility challenges for women is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
Common causes of infertility in men
- Sperm disorders affecting sperm motility and viability
- Infection, such as gonorrhea or HIV
- Injury from surgery or trauma, which may cause bodily changes or blockages
- Extended exposure to toxins, such as benzenes, toluene, xylene, pesticides, herbicides, organic solvents, painting materials, lead, or heavy metals
- Hormone imbalances, such as disorders affecting the testicles themselves or the hypothalamus, pituitary, thyroid, or adrenal glands
The #1 cause of male
infertility is a disorder in sperm production.
Regardless of gender, infertility can
also be caused by lifestyle factors, such as:
Drug use
Alcohol use
Tobacco use
Body weight below or above average
Infertility is rarely simple. Often, it can take
more than 6 months to conceive. Consider a
fertility evaluation if:
You are younger than 35 years of age and did not conceive after 1 year of trying
You are 35 years of age or older and did not conceive after 6 months of trying
If you are not ready to start a family yet, here are a few things to keep in mind while planning ahead:
- Hormone levels change as people age, and that change may affect fertility.
- Consider the egg count. In general, egg count decreases with age. Each woman is born with about 1 million eggs, and about 25,000 remain by age 37.
- Egg freezing may also be an option. Learn more about egg freezing here.
About 20% of women in the US now have their first child after age 35.
Download these tips to help you choose a clinic that
meets your fertility needs
Finding a fertility clinic
