What causes infertility in women?
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Dr. Mehmet Oz answered:Women can have problems with infertility due to several issues. Here are some of the most common causes of female infertility:
- An infection that irritates the uterus so the eggs cannot attach.
- Some type of chemical reaction that doesn't allow egg cells to mature well enough to be released.
- A structural issue or blockage in the Fallopian tube that prevents the fertilized egg from traveling to its destination.
- Fibroids, or benign, spongy tissue that frequently distort normal uterine or Fallopian tube anatomy. They can grow to the size of grapefruit and change the anatomy to make the uterus less receptive to eggs.
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Women can have problems with infertility due to several issues. Here are some of the most common causes of female infertility: An infection that irritates the uterus so the eggs cannot attach. Some type of chemical reaction that doesn't allow... More - An infection that irritates the uterus so the eggs cannot attach.
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Infertility can be caused by many conditions that affect the fallopian tubes, hormones, or any other part of ovulation. Infections such as chlamydia may damage the fallopian tubes, making it impossible for the fertilized egg to travel to the uterus. Endometriosis and uterine fibroids also cause infertility. Hormone problems, such as polycystic ovary syndrome, overproduction of prolactin, and early menopause may also lead to infertility in women. Sometimes, infertility may be caused by environmental factors like taking certain medications or drinking too much caffeine.
Infertility can be caused by many conditions that affect the fallopian tubes, hormones, or any other part of ovulation. Infections such as chlamydia may damage the fallopian tubes, making it impossible for the fertilized egg to travel to the uterus.... More -
Dr. Lisa Kolp of Johns Hopkins Medicine answered:There are many causes of infertiilty. Reasons for infertility can generally be divided into four categories: 1.) Male factor commonly addressed by urologists; 2.) Abnormalities of ovulation--these can range from complete failure to ovulate to subtle degrees of hormonal abnormalities that make it difficult to conceive; 3. Problems with the fallopian tubes or uterus, ranging from blocked tubes to adhesions from previous surgery to fibroids to endometriosis; 4.) "Unexplained infertility" which is more commonly "multifactorial subfertility", a situation in which there are several minor problems identified, none of which seem to be enough to prevent conception but together they are causing problems.There are many causes of infertiilty. Reasons for infertility can generally be divided into four categories: 1.) Male factor commonly addressed by urologists; 2.) Abnormalities of ovulation--these can range from complete failure to ovulate to... More -
Dr. Kevin Windom answered:The most common cause of female infertility is anovulation. This is a condition where the ovary does not release an egg on a monthly basis. Other common causes of female infertility are blocked fallopian tubes, endometriosis, or problems with the cervix such as cervical stenosis or abnormal cervical mucus. Some women harbor certain bacteria in their vagina such as Ureaplasma and mycoplasma. These bacteria can cause a hostile environment in the vagina and can affect sperm motility.
The most common cause of female infertility is anovulation. This is a condition where the ovary does not release an egg on a monthly basis. Other common causes of female infertility are blocked fallopian tubes, endometriosis, or problems... More -
Brigham and Women's Hospital answered:Infertility in a woman could have one or more causes. These include:
- Ovulation: In 25-30 percent of couples, there are problems with the production of the woman's egg, or ovulation. This may be the result of an abnormality in the woman's ovary (such as polycystic ovary syndrome), or other hormonal causes. These defects are treated by giving medications to stimulate ovulation.
- Tubal defect: Infertility is caused by an abnormality of the Fallopian tubes, the tubes that connect the ovaries to the uterus, in 20-30 percent of couples. Tubal defects can be caused by scarring from previous surgery, infection, or a previous tubal ligation ("tying of the tubes").
- Unexplained infertility: There is no obvious cause of infertility in about 10-20 percent of couples.
- Endometriosis: This is a disorder in which pieces of the lining of the uterus implant themselves onto pelvic organs, including the Fallopian tubes, the ovaries, and sometimes even the intestines. This is the cause of infertility in 5-10 percent of couples.
Another possible cause for infertility in a couple might be male factor infertility. In about 25-40 percent of couples, a problem with the sperm is the cause of the infertility. The problem may be the number of sperm, the shape of the sperm, or their ability to move effectively.
Infertility in a woman could have one or more causes. These include: Ovulation: In 25-30 percent of couples, there are problems with the production of the woman's egg, or ovulation. This may be the result of an abnormality in the woman's ovary... More -
Dr. Evelyn Minaya answered:There are many causes of infertility in women, but one in particular stands out. Find out the most common reason a woman might have trouble getting pregnant by watching this video featuring obstetrician and gynecologist Evelyn Minaya, M.D.
There are many causes of infertility in women, but one in particular stands out. Find out the most common reason a woman might have trouble getting pregnant by watching this video featuring obstetrician and gynecologist Evelyn Minaya, M.D. More -
Greenville Health System answered:Most cases of female infertility are caused by problems with ovulation. Without ovulation, there are no eggs to be fertilized. Some signs that a woman is not ovulating normally include irregular or absent menstrual periods.
Ovulation problems are often caused by polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). PCOS is a hormone imbalance problem which can interfere with normal ovulation. PCOS is the most common cause of female infertility.
Primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) is another cause of ovulation problems. POI occurs when a woman's ovaries stop working normally before she is 40. POI is not the same as early menopause.
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
This answer is based on source information from the National Women's Health Information.
The contents of this website are for informational purposes only and are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Nor does the contents of this website constitute the establishment of a physician patient or therapeutic relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Most cases of female infertility are caused by problems with ovulation. Without ovulation, there are no eggs to be fertilized. Some signs that a woman is not ovulating normally include irregular or absent menstrual periods. Ovulation problems are... More -
Infertility can be caused by many different things in women, and in 20% of the cases the cause is never identified. One of the most common reasons is damage to the fallopian tubes, which makes it difficult or impossible for the egg to pass down into the uterus. Another common cause can be hormonal problems causing the woman not to ovulate (which is when an egg is released from the ovary). There can also be cervical abnormalities in which the sperm cannot pass through the cervix into the uterus (this can be overcome by in vitro fertilization). And finally, there can be abnormalities with the uterus, causing difficulty in implantation of the fertilized embryo.Infertility can be caused by many different things in women, and in 20% of the cases the cause is never identified. One of the most common reasons is damage to the fallopian tubes, which makes it difficult or impossible for the... More
