Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesTreatmentComplicationsDiagnosisWhen to See a Healthcare Provider
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Treatment
Complications
Diagnosis
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Infertility is diagnosed when a couple cannot become pregnant after a year oftrying to conceivewith condomless sex. About 15% of couples are unable to become pregnant after trying for one year.Infertility may also refer to a person who can become pregnant but has a history ofmiscarriagesorstillbirths.
Studies show that in about one-third of couples, there is a medical reason why a woman cannot become pregnant. In another third, there is a medical reason for a man contributing to infertility. In the last third, the cause is either unknown or involves both partners.
This article provides an overview of infertility, including common causes, symptoms, and treatment options.
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Reproductive Health Issues
Symptoms of Infertility
Infertility symptomsvary depending on the underlying cause. The classic sign is the inability to either become pregnant or carry a pregnancy to term.
In women, an absent (amenorrhea) or irregular period may signify a problem leading to infertility. This is because a woman without regular periods is likely not ovulating each month.
No Period Because of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)?
Causes of Infertility
There are several possible causes of infertility that affect both women and men.
Female Infertility
To understand female causes of infertility, knowing how a woman’s body becomes pregnant is helpful. To conceive, a woman’s body must release an egg from one of the ovaries. From there, a man’s sperm must join with the egg to fertilize it. A fertilized egg must travel through thefallopian tubeto theuterus, where the embryo attaches or implants to the uterine wall.
Possible causes of female infertility include:
Common Conditions That Can Affect the Uterus
Male Infertility
Possible causes of male infertility include:
Can Laptops Cause Male Infertility?
What Medications Can Cause Infertility?
The following medications are known to affect male fertility:
How to Treat Infertility
The treatment of infertility is highly dependent on the cause. Other factors include the couple’s ages, preferences, and duration of time trying to conceive.
In couples with mild male infertility or an unknown cause,intrauterine insemination (IUI)may be recommended. The man’s sperm is prepared and inserted into the woman’s uterus during this procedure. IUI may be used in combination with medications as well.
Medications
Oral medications that may be used to treat infertility include:
Injectable medications that may be used to treat infertility include:
Assisted Reproductive Technology
Assisted reproductive technology (ART) refers to any fertility treatment that involves handling the eggs or embryos outside the body. The most common options include:
Complications and Risk Factors
The complications and risk factors associated with infertility depend on the underlying cause.
What You Need to Know About a Twin Pregnancy
Another possible complication of infertility isanxiety. A review found that women undergoing ART were at higher risk of anxiety, especially if the treatment failed or required multiple rounds. Women who have become pregnant using ART are at increased risk of depression later in life.
Are There Tests to Diagnose the Cause of Infertility?
There are several tests used to determine the cause of infertility. Your healthcare provider will likely start with a physical exam and medical history from both partners. Initial tests often include a semen analysis, tubal evaluation, and ovarian reserve testing.
Tests to diagnose infertility in women include:
A semen analysis is used to diagnose infertility in men. It’s a test to check the number of sperm, their movement, and their shape.
For most couples, it is time to see a healthcare provider to be evaluated for infertility after a year of trying to become pregnant with condomless sex. For couples with a woman who is 35 or older, it is recommended to see a healthcare provider after trying for six months.A reproductiveendocrinologistis a physician who specializes in treating individuals with infertility.
If you or your partner have any infertility risk factors, talk with your healthcare provider when you start trying to conceive. Infertility risk factors for women include:
Infertility risk factors for men include:
Summary
Infertility is diagnosed when a couple cannot become pregnant after a year of trying to conceive with condomless sex. There are several possible causes of infertility in both women and men. Infertility is treated with medications, assisted reproductive technology, or a combination. Couples who have been trying to conceive for one year should see their healthcare provider. Women 35 or older are recommended to see their healthcare provider after trying for six months.
A Word From Verywell
Infertility is a heartwrenching condition that affects individuals and couples around the world. The diagnostic process can be lengthy and may feel frustrating. Know that your emotions are normal and common. Talk with your partner and healthcare provider about your frustrations and needs. If you feel comfortable, reach out to family and friends for support.
7 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Infertility.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Infertility.Office on Women’s Health.Polycystic ovary syndrome.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Diminished ovarian reserve.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Male infertility.Gabrielsen JS, Lamb DJ.Disorders that impact reproduction. In:Handbook of Clinical Adult Genetics and Genomics. Elsevier;2020:147-162. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-817344-2.00011-3Gdańska P, Drozdowicz-Jastrzębska E, Grzechocińska B, Radziwon-Zaleska M, Węgrzyn P, Wielgoś M.Anxiety and depression in women undergoing infertility treatment.Ginekol Pol. 2017;88(2):19-112. doi:10.5603/GP.a2017.0019
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Infertility.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Infertility.Office on Women’s Health.Polycystic ovary syndrome.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Diminished ovarian reserve.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Male infertility.Gabrielsen JS, Lamb DJ.Disorders that impact reproduction. In:Handbook of Clinical Adult Genetics and Genomics. Elsevier;2020:147-162. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-817344-2.00011-3Gdańska P, Drozdowicz-Jastrzębska E, Grzechocińska B, Radziwon-Zaleska M, Węgrzyn P, Wielgoś M.Anxiety and depression in women undergoing infertility treatment.Ginekol Pol. 2017;88(2):19-112. doi:10.5603/GP.a2017.0019
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
MedlinePlus.Infertility.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Infertility.Office on Women’s Health.Polycystic ovary syndrome.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Diminished ovarian reserve.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Male infertility.Gabrielsen JS, Lamb DJ.Disorders that impact reproduction. In:Handbook of Clinical Adult Genetics and Genomics. Elsevier;2020:147-162. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-817344-2.00011-3Gdańska P, Drozdowicz-Jastrzębska E, Grzechocińska B, Radziwon-Zaleska M, Węgrzyn P, Wielgoś M.Anxiety and depression in women undergoing infertility treatment.Ginekol Pol. 2017;88(2):19-112. doi:10.5603/GP.a2017.0019
MedlinePlus.Infertility.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Infertility.
Office on Women’s Health.Polycystic ovary syndrome.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Diminished ovarian reserve.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Male infertility.
Gabrielsen JS, Lamb DJ.Disorders that impact reproduction. In:Handbook of Clinical Adult Genetics and Genomics. Elsevier;2020:147-162. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-817344-2.00011-3
Gdańska P, Drozdowicz-Jastrzębska E, Grzechocińska B, Radziwon-Zaleska M, Węgrzyn P, Wielgoś M.Anxiety and depression in women undergoing infertility treatment.Ginekol Pol. 2017;88(2):19-112. doi:10.5603/GP.a2017.0019
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