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| INFERTILITY |  |
Pinpointing the exact cause of infertility is difficult. About a third of fertility problems occur solely in women, one third in men and the remaining third are mutual. Current estimates suggest about six percent of men between the ages of fifteen and fifty are infertile. Given below are some of the common causes of infertility.
Problem Area |
Percentage of Cases |
Sperm |
30 to 40 |
Ovulation |
15 to 20 |
Fallopian tubes |
25 to 40 |
Cervix |
5 |
Unidentified factors |
5 to 15 |
The most common cause is a low sperm count. Research has shown that sperm count worldwide has dropped by 50 percent since the 1940s. The reason is probably environmental (food, water and air) pollution involving chemicals.
Another common problem is poor sperm quality, and some men's ejaculate contains antibodies to their own sperm. Alternatively, there may be no sperm at all, either because the man is producing none or because the delicate tubes which carry them are blocked. Sometimes sperm cannot penetrate the egg when they reach it; and in a very small number of cases there may be hormonal problems.
WomenCommon reasons for female infertility include failure to ovulate (including polycystic ovary syndrome), blocked fallopian tubes (due to endometriosis, for example), and the production of antibodies to a partner's sperm. Psychological issues, such as stress or fear of parenthood, may contribute to infertility as well.
Specific FactorsIt can be hard to pinpoint which of the many possible factors is the cause of a couple's infertility.
For both men and women there can be several factors, such as
 | Physical changes in the pelvis due to inflammation and infection |
| Chlamydia (results in an infectious disease called nongonococcal genital infection, the most common sexually transmitted disease in the US) |
| Excessive physical activity |
| Malnutrition |
| Extreme weight gain or loss |
| Severe mental or physical stress |
| Exposure to toxic substances including heavy metals, drugs, radiation and heavy smoking. |
 | Women with a previous history of the following are often unable to conceive: |
| Pelvic inflammatory disease |
| Pregnancy outside the uterus |
| Abdominal surgery |
| Intrauterine device (IUD) complications |
| Fibroids. |
| Women develop an incompatibility with or allergy to the partner's sperm, which are destroyed as a result of immune system malfunction. |
| Other causes of infertility in women |
| Failure to ovulate |
| Endometriosis |
| Pituitary gland failure |
| Ovarian failure |
| Long-term effects of the birth control pill |
| Hypothyroidism or other hormonal imbalances |
| Age (female fertility declines fast after 35) |
| Abnormal womb shape |
| History of pelvic infections |
| Being underweight |
| Hostile cervical mucus |
| Recurrent miscarriages |
| Nutritional deficiencies |
| Thyroid malfunction |
| Diabetes |
| Fallopian Tube Problems – blockages, scarring, etc. |
| Congenital abnormalities |
| Pelvic inflammatory disease |
| Ectopic pregnancy |
| Ruptured appendix |
| Lower abdominal surgery |
| Endometriosis |
| Previous surgical closure (tubal ligation) |
| Deficient sperm production |
Specifically, inadequate sperm production by the testes or poor sperm motility. This may be due to
| Environmental toxins such as chemicals |
| Radiation |
| Drugs |
| Heavy metal exposure |
| Cigarette smoking |
| Street drug use |
| Pollution |
| Frequent sex |
| Prolonged exposure to heat from hot tubs or saunas |
| Wearing underwear or pants that are too tight |
| Stress |
| Poor diet |
| Lifestyle habits |
| Increased scrotal temperature |
| Infections, the common cold, the flu, etc. |
| Increased stress |
| Lack of sleep |
| Overuse of alcohol, tobacco, or marijuana |
| Many prescription drugs |
| Exposure to radiation |
| Exposure to solvents, pesticides, and other toxins |
| Varicose condition of the scrotum |
| Previous GU infection, or infection with mumps |
| Certain prescription drugs, such as co-trimoxazole, testerone, anti- ulcer drug cimetidine (Tagamet), nitrofurantoin (Furadantin, Macrodantin) used in the treatment of urinary tract infections |
| Undescended testes |
| Diabetes |
| Infectious disease and glandular diseases affecting the hypothalamus, pituitary and the testes. Nutrient deficiencies also have a role to play. |
| Ductal obstruction - An obstruction of the seminal tract will decrease or stop the passage of sperm from the testes to the urethra for ejaculation. This may result from |
| Congenital defects |
| Infection of the epidydimis, testes, seminal vesicles, urethra, prostate or vas |
| Urethral stricture |
| Cystic fibrosis |
| Vasectomy |
| Premature ejaculation |
| Retrograde ejaculation |
| Disorders of accessory glands |
| Infection |
| Inflammation |
| Antisperm antibodies |
| Defects in technique |
| Premature withdrawal |
| Erectile dysfunction |
Next Topic: Investigating Infertility
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