Infertility means you cannot get pregnant (conceive).

There are 2 types of infertility:

• Primary infertility refers to couples who have not become pregnant after at least 1 year having sex without using birth control methods.
• Secondary infertility refers to couples who have been able to get pregnant at least once, but now are unable to do so.

Inability to conceive; Unable to get pregnant

Many medical conditions can cause infertility. It may be due to conditions in the woman, man, or both.

FEMALE INFERTILITY

Female infertility may occur when:

• A fertilized egg or embryo does not survive once it attaches to the lining of the womb (uterus).
• The fertilized egg does not attach to the lining of the uterus.
• The eggs cannot move from the ovaries to the womb.
• The ovaries have problems producing healthy eggs.

Female infertility may be caused by:

• Autoimmune disorders, such as antiphospholipid syndrome (APS)
• Birth defects that affect the reproductive tract
• Cancer or tumor
• Clotting disorders
• Diabetes
• Drinking too much alcohol
• Exercising too much
• Eating disorders or poor nutrition
• Growths (such as fibroids or polyps) in the uterus and cervix
• Medicines such as chemotherapy drugs
• Failure to ovulate
• Being overweight or underweight
• Older age
• Ovarian cysts and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
• Pelvic infection resulting in scarring or swelling of fallopian tubes (hydrosalpinx) or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
• Scarring from sexually transmitted infection, abdominal surgery, or endometriosis
• Smoking
• Surgery to prevent pregnancy (tubal ligation) or failure of tubal ligation reversal (reanastomosis)
• Thyroid disease

MALE INFERTILITY

Male infertility may be due to:

• Decreased number of sperm
• Blockage that prevents the sperm from being released
• Defects in the sperm

Male infertility can be caused by:

• Birth defects
• Cancer treatments, including chemotherapy and radiation
• Exposure to high heat for prolonged periods
• Heavy use of alcohol, marijuana, or cocaine
• Benign pituitary tumor (causing high blood level of prolactin)
• Diabetes (uncontrolled)
• Hypogonadism causing low levels of the male hormone testosterone
• Impotence
• Infection
• Medicines such as cimetidine, spironolactone, and nitrofurantoin
• Obesity
• Older age
• Retrograde ejaculation
• Scarring from sexually transmitted infections (STIs), injury, or surgery
• Smoking
• Toxins in the environment
• Vasectomy or failure of vasectomy reversal
• History of testicular infection from mumps

Healthy couples under age 30 who have sex regularly will have about a 20% chance of getting pregnant each month.

A woman is most fertile in her early 20s. The chance a woman can get pregnant begins to decrease around age 35 (and especially after age 40). The age when fertility starts to decline varies from woman to woman.

Infertility problems and miscarriage rates increase significantly after 35 years of age. There are now options for early egg retrieval and storage for women in their 20's. This may help ensure a successful pregnancy if childbearing is delayed until after age 35. This is an expensive option. However, women who know they will need to delay childbearing may consider it.

Treatment depends on the cause of infertility. It may involve:

• Education and counseling about the condition
• Fertility treatments such as taking medicine to induce ovulation, intrauterine insemination (IUI), and in vitro fertilization (IVF)
• Medicines to treat infections and clotting disorders
• Medicines that help the growth and release of eggs from the ovaries

Couples can increase the chances of becoming pregnant each month by having sex at least every 2 days before and during ovulation.

Ovulation occurs about 2 weeks before the next menstrual cycle (period) starts. Therefore, if a woman gets her period every 28 days the couple should have sex at least every 2 days between the 10th and 18th day after her period starts.

Having sex before ovulation occurs is especially helpful.

• Sperm can live inside a woman's body for at least 2 days.
• However, a woman's egg can only be fertilized by the sperm within 12 to 24 hours after it is released.

Women who are under or overweight may increase their chances of becoming pregnant by getting to a healthier weight.

The process of undergoing evaluation and treatment of infertility is stressful for most couples. Emotional stressors may induce depression, anger, anxiety, and marital discord between couples.

More information and support for people with infertility and their families can be found by joining a local support group. You can ask your provider to recommend local groups.

As many as 1 in 5 couples diagnosed with infertility eventually become pregnant without treatment.

Most couples with infertility become pregnant after treatment.

Contact your provider if you are not able to get pregnant.

Preventing STIs, such as gonorrhea and chlamydia, may reduce your risk of infertility.

Maintaining a healthy diet, weight, and lifestyle may increase your chances of getting pregnant and having a healthy pregnancy.

Avoiding the use of lubricants during sex may help improve sperm function.

Published Date: February 03, 2025
Published By: Peter J. Chen, MD, FACOG, Associate Professor of OBGYN at Cooper Medical School at Rowan University, Camden, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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