Causes of Infertility in Women

Struggling to conceive or carry a pregnancy to term can leave you feeling disheartened. But don't lose hope. When it comes to your family-planning journey, knowledge is power. Working with a doctor to identify the root cause of your infertility can help you determine the best path forward toward growing your family. 

Below, we'll discuss the leading causes of infertility in women to help you better understand conditions that may impact your fertility. 

Risk Factors of Infertility in Women

The primary symptom of female infertility is the inability to achieve a successful pregnancy after 12 months of regular, unprotected sex with a male partner for women under 35. For women over 35, infertility is indicated after an inability to become pregnant after six months of unprotected sex.

Other risk factors for infertility may include:

• Irregular or absent menstrual cycles 

• Abnormally heavy or light periods 

• Aging

• Endometriosis 

• Weight (obesity or underweight)

• Smoking 

Causes of Infertility in Women

Ovulation Problems 

Ovulation refers to the time in a woman's cycle when an egg is released from an ovary. Once the egg is released, it travels down the fallopian tube where it waits to become fertilized by a sperm. Failure to ovulate is one of the most common causes of female infertility, occurring in 40% of women with fertility challenges.

Several conditions can impact ovulation. 

PCOS

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is the most prevalent endocrine disorder among women of reproductive age, affecting 10-13%. PCOS can cause hormone imbalances that make it difficult to get pregnant. One of the hallmarks of this condition is irregular periods with no ovulation. While there is no cure for PCOS, lifestyle changes, doctor-prescribed medications, or fertility treatments may help you get pregnant.  

Thyroid Problems

Your thyroid is a major part of your endocrine system, releasing hormones throughout your bloodstream to regulate metabolism. Having too much or too little of the thyroid hormone can impact your menstrual cycle and cause infertility. Like PCOS, lifestyle changes, doctor-prescribed medications, and fertility treatments may help you become pregnant. 

Primary Ovarian Insufficiency

Most women's ovaries stop releasing eggs during menopause, which typically occurs in your 50s. However, in women experiencing primary ovarian insufficiency, their ovaries stop working before the age of 40. When this happens, the ovaries don't produce enough estrogen and fail to release eggs regularly, often resulting in infertility. This can make becoming pregnant naturally very difficult. But that doesn't mean you should give up your dreams of starting a family. With the help of IVF, many women can still achieve pregnancy using their own previously frozen eggs or frozen donor eggs. 

Fallopian Tube Damage or Blockage

Fallopian tubes connect the ovaries to the uterus, providing a passageway for eggs. Because fertilization generally happens in these tubes, they are essential for female fertility. However, if the fallopian tubes are damaged, sperm cannot reach the egg, causing infertility. Common causes of fallopian tube damage include infections, abdominal surgery, and conditions like endometriosis.

Depending on the severity of the damage, laparoscopic surgery may be able to remove blockages and improve fertility. If you have damaged tubes that can't be treated by surgery, you may still achieve a successful pregnancy with the help of IVF. 

Endometriosis 

Endometriosis is a chronic condition impacting roughly 10% of reproductive-age women and girls globally. This condition occurs when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus, known as the endometrium, begins to grow outside the uterus. This can cause severe pelvic pain, fallopian tube blockages, inflammation, hormonal changes, and an altered immune system, making it challenging to get pregnant.

Approximately 35-50% of women with endometriosis will experience infertility. Your doctor may suggest lifestyle changes, surgery to remove endometrial tissue, or fertility treatments to improve your chances of conceiving. 

Fibroids

Uterine fibroids are noncancerous growths of muscle tissue in the uterus. Fibroids are found in 20% of women of reproductive age and may cause fertility issues. Their size and location can impact fertility or lead to symptoms such as heavy menstrual bleeding, pelvic pain, or pressure. Treatment options vary based on the severity of symptoms and may include medication, non-invasive procedures, or surgery to remove the fibroids.

Polyps 

Polyps are small growths that can form on tissue in the lining (endometrium) of the uterus. While some may be asymptomatic, others can cause irregular menstrual bleeding, spotting between periods, heavy menstrual periods, and infertility. If your doctor sees that you have polyps during an infertility evaluation, they may recommend surgical removal before you begin infertility treatments. 

Your Fertility Care Partner 

Fertility challenges don't have to end your plans of growing a family. At Beverly Hills Reproductive Center, we help patients become parents through personalized fertility care. Request a consultation today to learn more about our services.