Causes of Infertility

There are many possible causes of infertility. A single cause may not be linked to either the man or the woman. Often the problem stems from a combination of factors in either or both partners. You and your partner will be diagnosed as a couple to determine the best treatment for you.

Infertility in the Man

A man may be infertile because he does not have enough sperm; because the sperm are not active enough; because the passage, or vas deferens, is blocked; or because of problems with ejaculation.

A number of factors can cause or contribute to male infertility:

Sexually transmitted diseases, such as gonorrhea or chlamydia
Fevers and infections, such as mumps occurring after puberty
Surgery of the reproductive tract, such as that for undescended testes, hernia repair, disorders of the prostate gland, or cancer
Damage to the vas deferens, most often by vasectomy
Varicose veins in the scrotum (varicocele)
Use of certain drugs, such as those for depression or high blood pressure
Exposure of the testes to high temperatures, such as those that result from the wearing of tight, unventilated clothing; excessive use of hot tubs; or conditions in the workplace
Use of tobacco, marijuana, or alcohol
Medical conditions, such as diabetes
Genetic or hormonal problems
Injury to the testes, such as that resulting from physical trauma or exposure to radiation, can also cause infertility in the man.

Infertility in the Woman

A woman may be infertile because of hormone imbalances or problems in the reproductive tract.

Factors that can cause or add to female infertility include:

Hormone levels that prevent the release of an egg from an ovary or the implantation of a fertilized egg in the lining of the uterus
Extra weight (more than 30% over her ideal body weight), which may cause problems with ovulation
Scarring or tumors of the uterus or defects of the uterus present from birth
Too little or poor-quality cervical mucus, sometimes due to surgery or other treatment
Endometriosis-a condition in which tissue like that normally lining the uterus (the endometrium) is found outside the uterus
Adhesions-bands of scar tissue from previous surgery, endometriosis, or infections that bind together tissues inside the abdomen
Infections such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), a severe infection of the female reproductive organs that may be caused by sexually transmitted diseases such as gonorrhea or chlamydia; or appendicitis, which can result in scarring of the internal pelvic organs
Production of antibodies that attack her partner's sperm
Medical conditions, such as thyroid disease or diabetes
Genetic conditions such as Turner's syndrome, in which a woman has only one X chromosome and may not completely develop breasts or pubic hair
Use of tobacco, marijuana, or alcohol