Uterine or cervical abnormalities:
Ovulation disorders:
Endometriosis:
Thyroxine disorders:
Fallopian tube damage or blockage:
Primary ovarian insufficiency:
Other causes in women include:
- Cancer and its treatment have been known to affect fertility. Cancers particularly of female reproductive organs often severely impair female fertility. Both radiation and chemotherapy may affect fertility.
- Medical conditions associated with delayed puberty
- Absence of menstruation (amenorrhea),
- Celiac disease
- Poorly controlled diabetes
- Autoimmune diseases like lupus can affect woman’s fertility.
- Genetic abnormalities are also one of the causes.
Risk factors of infertility
Many of the risk factors for both male and female infertility are the same. They include:- Age:Women’s fertility gradually declines with age. It typically falls in the mid 30s, and it drops rapidly after age 37. In older women the quality and the number of eggs affect fertility. Health problems that affect fertility are also often present. Men over age 40 may be less fertile than younger men.
- Tobacco use: Tobacco or marijuana smoking by both men and women reduces the likelihood of pregnancy. Smoking also affects the possible benefit of fertility treatment negatively. Miscarriages are more frequent in women who smoke. Smoking can increase the risk of erectile dysfunction and a low sperm count in men.
- Alcohol use. Avoid alcohol if you're planning to become pregnant as it cannot be predetermined that what quantity of intake is safe or can cause problems. Alcohol use increases the risk of birth defects, and may contribute to infertility. For men, heavy alcohol use can decrease sperm count and motility.
- Being overweight: Inactive lifestyle, low physical activity and being overweight may increase the risk of infertility. A man's sperm count may also be affected if he is overweight and physically inactive.
- Being underweight: Women at risk of fertility problems include those with eating disorders, such as anorexia or bulimia, and women who follow a very low calorie or restrictive diet. Optimal nutrition is essential for balanced reproductive cycles in women. Nutritional deficiency can cause infertility or make it difficult to maintain the pregnancy.
