What causes infertility?

There is nothing more frustrating and disheartening as wanting to be a mom and not being able to get pregnant.  It is such a primal gut wrenching desire sometimes that it can leave you asking, Why?

Although 10-15 percent of couples are diagnosed with unexplained infertility, there are other risk factors that doctors believe contribute to a difficulty in conceiving. 

Wondering what those are? :)  Here is a quick overview for the possible causes for infertility in women…….

1. Age- Although many women are waiting to have children until they are better ready or financially stable, as you get older the   chances of becoming pregnant decline.  This is because the number of healthy eggs decreases over time. Optimally, women are most fertile between the ages of 20-25.  And on the opposite side, women over 35 seem to struggle the most with fertility related issues.

2. Smoking- Cigarette smoke is believed to be hard on your ovaries and often leads to miscarriage.

3. Alcohol- Drinking more than 6 drinks a day has been linked to irregular menstrual cycles and also to and increased risk of miscarriage.

4. Drugs- Drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, heroin and ecstasy cause irregular menstrual cycles and ovulation patterns.

5. Prescription Drugs- Some medications such as steroids keep the pituitary glands working correctly.  When this happens they are not able to produce a balanced level of hormones.  In addition, drugs such as some blood pressure medications and throw off a woman’s prolactin levels.  This leads to irregular ovulation patterns. Check with your doctor to see if any of the prescription medications that you are currently taking may be interfering with conception!

6. Birth Control Use-  Although most women can expect to have regular menstrual cycles after 6 months of stopping birth control, there are a percentage of women for whom it takes longer.

7. Diet- It is not only your weight (too heavy or too thin) that contributes to fertility issues, but also the foods you are eating.  Make sure you are on a fertility friendly diet!

8. Diseases- Diseases such as cancer, lupus, diabetes, thyroidism and arthritis can reduce fertility in women.

9. Environmental Conditions- Exposure to certain chemicals, anesthesia and radiation can harm a woman’s fertility.

10. Other Medical Conditions- Pituitary gland tumors, adrenal gland problems, polycystic ovary syndrome, endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, diethylstilbestrol abnormalities and Asherman’s syndrome are all conditions that can affect a woman’s ability to become pregnant.

Wow, when you look at the list and then consider the very small window in a woman’s cycle where she is actually fertile, it is amazing that anyone ever becomes pregnant isn’t it!