The Most Common Causes of Infertility and What You Can Do About Them

It’s not always easy to pinpoint the cause of infertility since it may stem from a single or a combination of contributing factors. Both female and male health issues can play a role in delayed conception. 

Jennifer Moreira, MD, FACOG, and her team at Thrive OB Women’s Wellness in Barrington, Illinois, specialize in diagnosing and treating infertility. If you’re having difficulty conceiving after months of trying, schedule a consultation with our experts to improve your chances. 

We’ve prepared an overview of some of the most common causes of infertility and potential solutions to help you understand some of the factors that may be in play in your case. 

Getting pregnant isn’t always easy

There are a series of events that must take place in order for conception to take place. Even when no health issue creates a fertility problem, simple timing matters can prevent fertilization. Rhythm methods of birth control rely on strategic abstinence based on timing to prevent pregnancy. 

We define infertility medically as the inability to create a pregnancy in a 12-month period despite frequent, unprotected sex with the intent of conception. It doesn’t take much to disrupt the timing of fertilization, so when a health issue interferes with pregnancy, it’s not always a major problem. 

Many couples conceive without medical intervention, though it may take longer than expected. If you’ve been trying to get pregnant for six months or longer without success, partner with us to find a solution for your case. 

The most common causes of infertility

Both partners may be unknowingly contributing to infertility since sometimes the only noticeable symptom is the lack of a pregnancy. Let’s look at common factors for each gender. 

Female challenges:

• Age: it’s harder for older women to become pregnant
• Endometriosis: a health condition that can interfere with the reproductive system
• Fallopian tube disorders
• Conditions that affect ovulation, including hormone imbalance, hypothalamus or pituitary disorders, or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
• Pelvic adhesions
• Uterus problems: including fibroids, polyps, or abnormally shaped uterus

Male factors: 

• Problems with sperm: including quality, quantity, and motility (the ability for sperm to move on their own
• Sperm production disorders: like varicocele (varicose veins near the testicles) or environmental factors that inhibit sperm production
• Hormone imbalances
• Congenital problems that cause variations in reproductive system anatomy

Minor problems like variability in a woman’s ovulation cycle or a man’s sperm production being suppressed by tight, warm clothing may be enough to alter the timing of conception each month. 

What to do about infertility causes

The first battle in overcoming infertility is diagnosis. Reviewing your health history and sexual habits may pinpoint elements that can improve your chances for fertilization. 

We may also recommend various tests to check for physical reasons for infertility. Sometimes, medications can help you ovulate more predictably. We may also recommend assisted reproductive alternatives or surgery. 

Lifestyle changes may improve your chances of conception, including: 

• Reducing alcohol, marijuana, or tobacco use
• Losing weight
• Increased physical activity

These changes can improve fertile conditions for both women and men. Sometimes, reasons for infertility are never pinpointed. 

Contact Thrive OB Women’s Wellness when you’re having conception problems. Call our appointment hotline at 847-868-2908 to schedule your consultation today.