Fertility challenges
Exploring why is the first step in moving forward
6.7 million women
CDC reports that the inability to have a child affects 6.7 million women in the US—about 11% of the reproductive-age population.
Infertility is rarely simple. Often, it can take
over 6 months to conceive. Consider a fertility
evaluation if:
You are 35 years old or under and did not conceive after 1 year of trying
You are over 35 years old and did not conceive after 6 months of trying
Common causes of fertility challenges for women
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)—a condition in which the ovaries produce higher than normal amounts of male hormones
- Uterine fibroids—noncancerous growths that can form in and around the uterine wall
- Endometriosis—occurs when tissue that normally lines the inside of the uterus is found in other places, like the fallopian tubes, and can cause scarring and blockages
The #1 cause of fertility challenges for women is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
Common causes of fertility challenges for men
- Sperm disorders affecting sperm motility and viability
- Infection, such as gonorrhea or HIV
- Injury, from surgery or trauma, which may cause bodily changes or blockages
- Exposure to toxins, such as benzenes, toluene, xylene, pesticides, herbicides, organic solvents, painting materials, lead, or heavy metals
- Hormone imbalances, such as disorders affecting the testicles themselves, or the hypothalamus, pituitary, thyroid, or adrenal glands
The #1 cause of male
infertility is a disorder in sperm production.
Regardless of gender, infertility can
also be caused by lifestyle factors such as:
Drug use
Alcohol use
Tobacco use
Body weight below or above average
If you are not ready to start a family yet, here are a few things to keep in mind while planning ahead:
- Hormone levels change as people age, and that change may affect fertility.
- Consider the egg count. In general, egg count decreases with age. Each woman is born with about 1 million eggs, and about 25,000 remain by age 37.
- Egg freezing may also be an option. Learn more about egg freezing here.