What are the Most Common Reasons for Infertility?

If you're one of the estimated 10 to 15% of couples who are infertile, education is one of your best weapons against this problem. Today, there are millions of people facing the possibility of not being able to conceive. While that can be devastating news, the truth is that education and the latest medical technology is allowing many couples to become pregnant who would not otherwise be able to have a baby.

It's also important to note that infertility can be a temporary problem.  In fact, according to the National Infertility Association, to actually be diagnosed as infertile, a couple has to actively try to conceive a child for a year without success.

What are the Most Common Reasons for Infertility?

Couples with fertility problems usually belong to one of three categories: female problems, male problems and a combination of the two.  Some 20% of infertile couples, however, belong to a forth group of those with no known cause. Some couples can be temporarily unable to conceive due to the following issues, which can be corrected with lifestyle changes:

• Weight of the woman - She may need to lose weight, or, in some cases, gain weight.
• Smoking - Smokers may need to stop smoking.
• Alcohol and drug use - alcohol, marijuana, certain drugs and medications may temporarily reduce sperm quality.
• Stress - Stress can make any problem worse, and can definitely have an effect on a couple's fertility. There are many different ways to deal with stress, from meditation to yoga, to cutting down on stressful situations in your life.

There are also common medical issues which affect fertility. The top medical issue for men is low sperm count, which can be caused by a condition called variocele and having sperm that is shaped abnormally. Lifestyle issues can also affect low sperm count, such as alcohol and drug use, certain medications, soaking in a hot tub, or even wearing tight pants.

For a woman, ovulation is one of the most common causes of infertility. Age and stress can contribute to this (the older a woman is, the more her ovulation slows down), as well as some medical conditions such as scar tissue, blocked fallopian tubes and fibroid tumors.

Education is Your Best Friend

The point is that before you totally write off your ability to conceive, you need to educate yourselves not only on the many different ways your fertility can be affected, but also on the different remedies available to you, either with diet, lifestyle changes or medical procedures.

Take an honest look at all the lifestyle factors which may be contributing to your infertility, as well as see your doctor to rule out any medical issues you may have. If there is a medical issue at play, that's still no reason to give up. There are many doctors providing all types of different fertility treatments that can help many people. In many ways, the doctor will be able to determine just what it is that is causing your problem and then you will work with her to determine the best course of action to take.

Synonyms:  nfertility, nifertility, ifertility, ifnertility, inertility, inefrtility, infrtility, infretility, infetility, infetrility,
inferility, inferitlity, infertlity, infertliity, infertiity, infertiilty, infertilty, infertiltiy, infertiliy, infertiliyt, and infertilit are typos for "infertility."