Infertility is a condition in which one cannot get pregnant (conceive). There are two types of infertility:

  • Primary infertility refers to couples who have not become pregnant after at least 1 year having sex without using birth control methods.
  • Secondary infertility refers to couples who have been able to get pregnant at least once, but now are unable.

Causes of Infertility:

Many physical and emotional factors can cause infertility. It may be due to problems in the woman, man, or both.

Infertility in Females - 

Female infertility may occur when:

  • A fertilized egg or embryo does not survive once it attaches to the lining of the womb (uterus).
  • The fertilized egg does not attach to the lining of the uterus.
  • The eggs cannot move from the ovaries to the womb.
  • The ovaries have problems producing eggs.

Female infertility may be caused by:

  • Autoimmune disorders, such as antiphospholipid syndrome (APS)
  • Birth defects that affect the reproductive tract
  • Cancer or tumor
  • Clotting disorders
  • Diabetes
  • Drinking too much alcohol
  • Exercising too much
  • Eating disorders or poor nutrition
  • Growths (such as fibroids or polyps) in the uterus and cervix
  • Medicines such as chemotherapy drugs
  • Hormone imbalances
  • Obesity
  • Older age
  • Ovarian cysts and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
  • Pelvic infection or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
  • Scarring from sexually transmitted infection, abdominal surgery or endometriosis
  • Smoking
  • Surgery to prevent pregnancy (tubal ligation) or failure of tubal ligation reversal (reanastomosis)
  • Thyroid disease