Causes of Male and Female Infertility

What are the causes of male and female infertility?

All steps during ovulation and fertilization must be performed correctly in order to become pregnant. Sometimes the problems that cause infertility in couples are present at birth and sometimes they develop later in life.

The causes of infertility can affect one or both partners. Sometimes the cause cannot be found.

Causes of male infertility

Among the options are the following:

Abnormal sperm production or function due to non-descending testes, genetic defects, health problems such as diabetes, or infections such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, mumps, or HIV. Enlarged veins in the testes (varicocele) can also affect sperm quality.
Problems with sperm output due to sexual problems, such as premature ejaculation; certain genetic diseases, such as cystic fibrosis; structural problems, such as a blockage in the testicle; or damage or injury to the reproductive organs.
Overexposure to certain environmental factors, such as pesticides and other chemicals, and radiation. Smoking cigarettes, alcohol, marijuana, anabolic steroids, and taking medications to treat bacterial infections, high blood pressure, and depression can also affect fertility. Frequent exposure to heat, such as in saunas or hot tubs, can raise body temperature and may affect sperm production.
Damage related to cancer and its treatment, including radiation or chemotherapy. Cancer treatment can impair sperm production, sometimes severely.

Causes of female infertility

The causes of female infertility may be the following:

Ovulation disorders, which affect the release of eggs to the ovaries. These include hormonal disorders, such as polycystic ovary syndrome. Hyperprolactinemia, a condition in which you have too much prolactin (the hormone that stimulates breast milk production), can also interfere with ovulation. Too much thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism) or too little (hypothyroidism) can affect the menstrual cycle or cause infertility. Other pre-existing causes may include too much exercise, eating disorders or tumors.
Uterine or cervical abnormalities, including abnormalities with the cervix, polyps in the uterus or the shape of the uterus. Non-cancerous (benign) tumors in the uterine wall (uterine fibroids) can cause infertility by blocking the fallopian tubes or preventing a fertilized egg from implanting in the uterus.
Damage or blockage of the fallopian tubes, often caused by inflammation of the fallopian tubes (salpingitis). This may be the result of pelvic inflammatory disease, which is usually caused by a sexually transmitted infection, endometriosis or adhesions.
Endometriosis, which occurs when endometrial tissue grows outside the uterus, can affect the function of the ovaries, uterus and fallopian tubes.
Primary ovarian failure (early menopause), when the ovaries stop functioning and menstruation ends before the age of 40. Although the cause is often unknown, certain factors are associated with early menopause, including diseases of the immune system, certain genetic conditions such as Turner syndrome or carriers of Fragile X syndrome, and treatment with radiation or chemotherapy.
Pelvic adhesions, bands of scar tissue that attach to organs that may form after pelvic infection, appendicitis, endometriosis, or abdominal or pelvic surgery.
Cancer and its treatment. Certain types of cancer, particularly reproductive cancers, often impair female fertility. Both radiation and chemotherapy can affect fertility.