If you're not ovulating , you won't be able to get pregnant. Anovulation is a common cause of female infertility and it can be triggered by many conditions. PCOS is one possible cause of anovulation. Other possible causes include being over or underweight , primary ovarian insufficiency , a thyroid dysfunction, hyperprolactinemia, and excessive exercise.
Most women who are experiencing ovulation problems have irregular periods. However, regular menstrual cycles don't guarantee that ovulation is occurring. If you have irregular cycles , talk to your doctor, even if you haven't been trying for a year yet. Women may carry the baby, but it takes two to tango. Another thing you need to know: male infertility rarely has symptoms that are observable without a semen analysis , which is a test that measures the health of the semen and sperm.
When you do see the doctor, make sure you are both tested. For women after age 35 , and for men after age 40 , it can take longer to get pregnant.
Some women assume if they still get regular periods their fertility is fine, but this isn't true. Age impacts egg quality as well as quantity. Also, if your partner is five or more years older than you are, this can further increase your risk of fertility problems after age In case you don't know, the fallopian tubes are the pathway between your ovaries and the uterus.
The fallopian tubes do not directly attach to the ovaries. Sperm must swim up from the cervix , through the uterus, and into the fallopian tubes. When an egg is released from the ovaries, hair-like projections from the fallopian tube draw the egg inside.
Conception takes place inside the fallopian tube, where the sperm and egg finally meet. If anything prevents the fallopian tubes from working properly, or if scarring blocks the sperm or egg from meeting, you won't be able to get pregnant. There are many possible causes of blocked fallopian tubes. While some women with blocked tubes experience pelvic pain, many others have no symptoms. Only fertility testing can determine if your tubes are open. An HSG is a specialized X-ray used to determine if your fallopian tubes are open.
Endometriosis is when endometrium-like tissue which is the tissue that lines the uterus grows in places outside of the uterus. The most common symptoms of endometriosis include painful periods and pelvic pain at times besides menstruation.
However, not all women with endometriosis have these symptoms. Some women who discover they have endometriosis as part of an infertility work-up. Endometriosis is commonly misdiagnosed or simply just missed. Endometriosis can't be diagnosed with a blood test or ultrasound.
It requires diagnostic laparoscopic surgery. In some cases, the cause of infertility is never found. A combination of several minor factors in both partners could cause unexplained fertility problems.
Although it's frustrating to get no specific answer, this problem can correct itself with time. But you shouldn't delay treatment for infertility. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products.
Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Infertility is defined as trying to get pregnant with frequent, unprotected sex for at least a year with no success. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic.
Female reproductive system Open pop-up dialog box Close. Female reproductive system The ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, cervix and vagina vaginal canal make up the female reproductive system. Fertilization and implantation Open pop-up dialog box Close. Fertilization and implantation During fertilization, the sperm and egg unite in one of the fallopian tubes to form a zygote. More Information Fallopian tubes: Is pregnancy possible with only one?
Hypothyroidism and infertility: Any connection? Share on: Facebook Twitter. Donor eggs are sometimes used for women who can not produce eggs. Also, donor eggs or donor sperm is sometimes used when the woman or man has a genetic disease that can be passed on to the baby. An infertile woman or couple may also use donor embryos.
These are embryos that were either created by couples in infertility treatment or were created from donor sperm and donor eggs. The donated embryo is transferred to the uterus. The child will not be genetically related to either parent. Women with no eggs or unhealthy eggs might also want to consider surrogacy. A surrogate is a woman who agrees to become pregnant using the man's sperm and her own egg.
The child will be genetically related to the surrogate and the male partner. After birth, the surrogate will give up the baby for adoption by the parents. Women with ovaries but no uterus may be able to use a gestational carrier.
This may also be an option for women who shouldn't become pregnant because of a serious health problem. In this case, a woman uses her own egg.
It is fertilized by the man's sperm and the embryo is placed inside the carrier's uterus. The carrier will not be related to the baby and gives him or her to the parents at birth. Recent research by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed that ART babies are two to four times more likely to have certain kinds of birth defects. These may include heart and digestive system problems, and cleft divided into two pieces lips or palate. Researchers don't know why this happens.
The birth defects may not be due to the technology. Other factors, like the age of the parents, may be involved. More research is needed. The risk is relatively low, but parents should consider this when making the decision to use ART.
For more information about infertility, call the OWH Helpline at or contact the following organizations:. Department of Health and Human Services. ET closed on federal holidays. Breadcrumb Home A-Z health topics Infertility. Infertility Infertility means not being able to get pregnant after one year of trying or six months if a woman is 35 or older. What is infertility? Pregnancy is the result of a process that has many steps. To get pregnant: A woman's body must release an egg from one of her ovaries ovulation.
The egg must go through a fallopian tube toward the uterus womb. A man's sperm must join with fertilize the egg along the way. The fertilized egg must attach to the inside of the uterus implantation. Infertility can happen if there are problems with any of these steps. Is infertility a common problem?
Is infertility just a woman's problem? What causes infertility in men? This happens when the veins on a man's testicle s are too large. This heats the testicles. The heat can affect the number or shape of the sperm. Other factors that cause a man to make too few sperm or none at all. Movement of the sperm. This may be caused by the shape of the sperm. Sometimes injuries or other damage to the reproductive system block the sperm. What increases a man's risk of infertility?
Some things that may reduce the health or number of sperm include: Heavy alcohol use Drugs Smoking cigarettes Age Environmental toxins, including pesticides and lead Health problems such as mumps, serious conditions like kidney disease, or hormone problems Medicines Radiation treatment and chemotherapy for cancer. What causes infertility in women? Less common causes of fertility problems in women include: Blocked fallopian tubes due to pelvic inflammatory disease , endometriosis , or surgery for an ectopic pregnancy Physical problems with the uterus Uterine fibroids , which are non-cancerous clumps of tissue and muscle on the walls of the uterus.
What things increase a woman's risk of infertility? The most common cause is ovulation failure which can be caused by lots of different things and sperm disorders. Read more detailed information about the causes of infertility. Page last reviewed: 4 September Next review due: 4 September Home Pregnancy Trying for a baby Back to Trying for a baby. How long does it usually take to get pregnant? Many factors can affect a couple's chances of conceiving, such as: your age your general health your reproductive health how often you have sex Some women become pregnant quickly, while others take longer.
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