Every patient who visits our Fertility Center & Applied Genetics is unique, and so are the causes of female infertility.
While some women will struggle to conceive due to age-related factors, others may have hormonal or structural problems that are preventing pregnancy. Here is an overview of some of the most common causes of female infertility.
- Maternal age strongly affects female fertility. Because the quality and quantity of a woman’s eggs decline with age, it is more difficult for a woman in her late-30s or early-40s to conceive than it is for a woman in her 20s. Additionally, advanced maternal age can also increase the risk of miscarriage and birth defects.
- Ovulation disorders account for infertility in about 1 in 4 couples who are struggling to conceive. These disorders cause women to ovulate infrequently or not at all. Problems in the ovaries, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or premature ovarian failure, or issues with the regulation of reproductive hormones are examples of these disorders.
- Tubal infertility refers to damaged or blocked fallopian tubes that keep the sperm from reaching the egg or prevent the fertilized egg from reaching the uterus. Causes of tubal infertility include pelvic inflammatory disease and previous surgeries in the area.
- Endometriosis causes uterine tissue to implant and grow in other locations in the body. This extra tissue can cause scarring, which can cause infertility. The condition can also affect the uterine lining to disrupt implantation of the fertilized egg.
- Uterine abnormalities that range from polyps to birth defects that affect the shape of the uterus can interfere with implantation and increase the risk of miscarriage.
- Unexplained infertility sometimes occurs in hopeful parents. This means that a fertility doctor cannot find the exact cause of infertility. However, many patients with this diagnosis still go on to conceive a healthy baby.
