Potential Causes of Infertility

Some basic potential causes of reduced fertility - in both women and men.

 

Female

 

PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) – a condition where the ovaries contain many small cysts causing irregular ovulations and hormonal imbalances.

Endometriosis – cells normally found in the womb lining (endometrium) attach themselves to other parts of the pelvic area causing scar tissue, pain and inflammation.

Menopause – an early menopause can sometimes result from surgery but often there is no explanation.

Blocked or damaged Fallopian Tubes – possibly as a result of Ectopic Pregnancy, endometriosis, surgery or PID (pelvic inflammatory disease) the tubes can result in damage or scarring.

Poor egg quality

Ovulation problems - may be due to hormonal imbalances; possibly as a result of stress, diet, too much or too little exercise, thyroid problems or pituitary gland problems.

Chlamydia – a sexually transmitted genital infection which, if left untreated, can cause pelvic inflammatory disease.

 

Male

 

Tubal blockages – An obstruction in the vas deferens or epididymis (the tubes that transport fertile sperm).  Potential causes include varicoceles (varicose veins) or sexually transmitted diseases such as Chlamydia or gonorrhoea. 

Poor quality sperm - the quality of sperm can be established by way of a sperm analysis (see Investigations).

 

Female & Male

 

Unexplained infertility – an unhelpful but honest definition that no real causal factors for infertility have been identified.

 

 

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