According to statistics, around one in seven couples will be affected by fertility issues at some point in their reproductive life. However, a diagnosis of infertility will only be made after at least one full year of trying for a baby, after which IVF treatment can be considered. We take a look at the issue to explore the most common causes of female and male infertility.

What is infertility?

If a couple has been trying for 12 months or more to conceive without success and are having regular, unprotected sex, then they are medically considered to be experiencing issues with infertility. It is estimated that around 30% of cases are due to female fertility problems, while 30% is due to male fertility issues. The remaining 30-40% are thought to be due to both male and female fertility problems or an unknown cause.

Common causes of female infertility

Infertility in women predominantly involves the ovaries, ovulation, the fallopian tubes or problems with the uterus (or womb).

Some of the most common causes of female infertility include:

Hormone imbalances

For ovulation to successfully occur, the body relies on a delicate balance of hormones that regulate the female reproduction cycle. If these hormones fall out of balance, then it will be all the more difficult for a woman to fall pregnant. Conditions that can affect a woman’s hormonal regulation include Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) which is one of the most common hormone problems to affect women of reproductive age and can disrupt the release of eggs from the ovaries, resulting in irregular periods.

Fibroids

Non-cancerous uterine fibroids are benign tumours that form in the muscle of the womb wall and can prevent a fertilised egg implanting in the uterus or block a fallopian tube.

Endometriosis

A common condition, endometriosis sees small pieces of the womb lining shed and travel to other internal organs, including the ovaries, where they latch on a grow. The condition can eventually damage the ovaries or fallopian tubes and impact a woman’s fertility.

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)

PID is an infection of the upper genital tract in women, which includes the ovaries and womb. The condition can be caused by a sexually transmitted disease and eventually cause scarring to the fallopian tubes, blocking an egg’s path to the uterus.

Age

Fertility naturally declines with age with the number of eggs a woman has significantly decreasing after the age of 35.

Common causes of male infertility

For men, infertility is typically due to issues with their sperm or inability to ejaculate.

The most common causes of male infertility include:

Semen and sperm problems

Poor quality semen is one of the leading causes of infertility in men and can include a low sperm count, abnormally shaped sperm or sperm with poor motility or ability to move. Many cases of poor semen are unexplained, although there is a link between increased scrotum temperature and sperm quality.

Testicular damage

The testicles produce and store sperm so if they are damaged through illness, infection or trauma, the quality of a man’s semen can be significantly affected. Congenital defects and undescended testicles can also affect sperm quality.

Hypogonadism

This condition involves an abnormally low level of the male sex hormone, testosterone, which is required for the production of healthy sperm. You can either be born with hypogonadism or it may develop due to injury or infection later in life.

Ejaculation disorders

Some men experience problems with ejaculating, including premature and retrograde ejaculation as well as failure to ejaculate, making it difficult for them to release the sperm needed to fertilise their partner’s egg.

If you or your partner are experiencing any of the above issues or are struggling to get pregnant, make an appointment with your GP or fertility clinic so you can get the right treatment and increase your chances of becoming a parent. Finding the right establishment for your well-being is important, if ever you’re in the area looking for help for ED in Los Angeles.