Causes of Infertility In Both Men and Women

¤Causes of male infertility may include:

•Abnormal sperm production or function due to various problems, such as undescended testicles, genetic defects, health problems including diabetes, prior infections such as mumps, trauma or prior surgeries on the testicles or inguinal region. Enlarged veins in the testes can increase blood flow and heat, affecting the number and shape of sperm.

•Problems with the delivery of sperm due to sexual problems, such as premature ejaculation, semen entering the bladder instead of emerging through the penis during orgasm (retrograde ejaculation), certain genetic diseases, such as cystic
fibrosis, structural problems, such as
blockage of the part of the testicle that
contains sperm (epididymis), or damage or injury to the reproductive organs. Men who have previously undergone a vasectomy(Vasectomy is a surgical procedure for male
sterilization and/or permanent birth control.) and desire a return of fertility will also need to either have the vasectomy reversed or have sperm retrieved through a surgical procedure for use in assisted reproductive techniques.

•Overexposure to certain chemicals and toxins, such as pesticides, radiation, tobacco smoke, alcohol, marijuana, and steroids (including testosterone). In addition, frequent exposure to heat, such as in saunas or hot tubs, can elevate the testicular temperature, impairing sperm
production.

•Damage related to cancer and its treatment, including radiation or chemotherapy. Treatment for cancer can impair sperm production, sometimes severely. Removal of one testicle due to cancer also may affect male fertility.

¤Causes of female infertility may include:

•Ovulation disorders, which hinder or
prevent the ovaries from releasing eggs. Examples include hormonal disorders such as polycystic ovary syndrome, a condition that might relate to your ovaries producing
too much of the male hormone
testosterone, and hyperprolactinemia,
when you have too much prolactin — the hormone that stimulates breast milkproduction. Other underlying causes may include excessive exercise, eating disorders, injury or tumors.

•Uterine or cervical abnormalities,
including problems with the opening of the cervix or cervical mucus, or abnormalities in the shape or cavity of the uterus. Benign tumors in the wall of the uterus that are common in women (uterine fibroids) may rarely cause infertility by blocking the
fallopian tubes. More often, fibroids may distort the uterine cavity interfering with implantation of the fertilized egg. Fallopian tube damage or blockage, which usually results from inflammation of the fallopian tube (salpingitis). This can result from pelvic inflammatory disease, usually caused by sexually transmitted
infection, endometriosis or adhesions.

•Endometriosis, which occurs when
endometrial tissue implants and grows
outside of the uterus — often affecting the function of the ovaries, uterus and
fallopian tubes.

•Primary ovarian insufficiency, also called early menopause, when the ovaries stop working and menstruation ends before age 40. Although the cause is often unknown,
certain conditions are associated with early menopause, including immune system diseases, radiation or chemotherapy treatment, and smoking.

•Pelvic adhesions, bands of scar tissue that bind organs after pelvic infection,
appendicitis, or abdominal or pelvic
surgery.

»»Other causes in women include:

»Thyroid problems. Disorders of the
thyroid gland, either too much thyroid
hormone (hyperthyroidism) or too little
(hypothyroidism), can interrupt the
menstrual cycle or cause infertility.

»Cancer and its treatment. Certain
cancers — particularly female reproductive cancers — often severely impair female fertility. Both radiation and chemotherapy may affect a woman's ability to reproduce.

»Other conditions. Medical conditions
associated with delayed puberty or the
absence of menstruation (amenorrhea), such as celiac disease, Cushing's disease, sickle cell disease, kidney disease or diabetes, can affect a woman's fertility.
Also genetic abnormalities can make
conception and pregnancy less likely.

»Certain medications. Temporary
infertility may occur with the use of certain medications. In most cases, fertility is restored when the medication is stopped.

Credit MayoClinic.