Fertility SERVICES
Common Causes of Infertility
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One of the most common causes of infertility is age. Women today are choosing to delay having children until later in life. Waiting to have children until 30 or 40 years of age has its benefits, financial stability and maturity, but also has its down side. Women generally have some decrease in fertility starting in their early 30s. And while many women in their 30s and 40s have no problems getting pregnant, fertility especially declines after the age of 35.
Another common factor leading to infertility is health problems in the woman. Uterine fibroids, pelvic inflammatory disease and endometriosis can worsen with age and affect fertility. These conditions may cause the fallopian tubes to be blocked, obstructing the egg from traveling through the tubes into the uterus. Diseases or conditions that affect hormone levels are another contributing factor. Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is one such hormonal condition that affects many women, and is the most common cause of anovulation (a condition in which a woman rarely or never ovulates). Luteal phase defect (LPD) is another hormonal condition that contributes to infertility. LPD is a failure of the uterine lining to be fully prepared for a fertilized egg to implant.
Certainly women are not the only factor to consider in diagnosing infertility. There are male factors to be considered as well. Even though men may remain fertile until well into their 60s and even 70s, they also may experience changes as they age. Men may begin to have problems with the shape and movement of their sperm and have a slightly higher risk of sperm gene defects. Another factor is producing too few or no sperm. Other health problems that men experience may affect their sexual and reproductive function. These problems include impotence, sexually transmitted diseases, prostate gland surgery, diabetes or testicular problems.
