About infertility
If you are having problems conceiving, you are not alone; around one in seven couples has difficulty.
Infertility is often thought of as a female concern, but in fact in a third of cases it is because of male problems, such as a low sperm count.
What causes infertility?
Infertility in women
Conditions affecting a woman’s fertility can include:
- damage to the fallopian tubes
- ovulatory problems
- endometriosis
- conditions affecting the uterus
- a combination of factors
- no identifiable reason.
Other factors that may play a part include:
- age – female fertility declines sharply after the age of 35
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
- gynaecological problems such as previous ectopic pregnancy or having had more than one miscarriage
- medical conditions such as diabetes, epilepsy, and thyroid and bowel diseases
- lifestyle factors such as stress, being overweight or underweight, and smoking.
Infertility in men
Conditions that may result in infertility include:
- low sperm count or quality
- problems with the tubes carrying sperm
- problems getting an erection
- problems ejaculating.
Other factors that may play a part in infertility include:
- having had inflamed testes (orchitis)
- a past bacterial infection that caused scarring and blocked tubes within the epididymis as it joins the vas
- having received medical treatment such as drug treatment, radiotherapy or surgery – for example to correct a hernia, undescended testes or twisted testicles
- genetic problems
- diabetes
- lifestyle factors such as being overweight or having a job that involves contact with chemicals or radiation.
Male fertility is also thought to decline with age, although to what extent is unclear.
Related links: infertility
Page last updated: 01 June 2012