Infertility Overview
Infertility is defined as the inability to conceive or carry a child to term after trying for one year. After the age of 35, this time frame is reduced to six months.
Causes
The cause of infertility does not have one explanation, but all of the explanations can be filtered into three categories: female-factor, male-factor, and unknown factor. And sometimes, your infertility may fall into more than one category.
Female-factor Infertility
Female Factor infertility can be attributed to one, or many of the following culprits:
- Endometriosis (or damage to the ovaries)
- Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
- Ovarian Cysts
- Scarring from Sexually Transmitted Diseases
- Age
- Robertson Translocation (a genetic disorder)
- Other: diabetes, extreme weight (obesity or under weight), autoimmune disorders, thyroid disorders, heavy alcohol use, adrenal diseases, and hypothalamic-pituitary factors.
For more information on Female-Factor Infertility, please use the following recommended resources:
Male-factor Infertility
- Poor semen quality
- Vericocele Vein* (not yet proven, but there are higher occurrences of infertility in men who also have vericocele veins. The direct connection, if one exists, has not yet been determined.)
- Age
- Robertson Translocation (a genetic disorder)
- Retrograde Ejaculation
- Radiation and/or high heat exposure
- Other: diabetes, heavy alcohol, marijuana or other drug use, obesity, underweight, thyroid disorders, adrenal diseases, and hypothalamic-pituitary factors.
For more information on Female-Factor Infertility, please use the following recommended resources:
