There are many ways to classify infertility, but the most common is the act of trying to get pregnant for at least a year, with frequent intercourse, and no success. This could be with the male or the female in a heterosexual relationship, or a combination of the two. According to the Mayo Clinic, an estimated 10 to 18 percent of couples have trouble getting pregnant or having a successful delivery. While there are available treatments in which you can treat infertility, including IVF, surrogacy, and hormone therapy, there is hope on the horizon. Many infertile couples (about 95% of them) will successfully conceive after a period of two years.
But when you dig down deep, what are the causes of infertility? Are there things we can avoid to make sure we’re about to conceive without treatment? We break down some of the factors that cause infertility. There is nothing wrong with women who are having trouble conceiving. Pregnancy and starting a family are not a race. It is important to be supportive, informative, and therefore those who are on their way to pregnancy. Keep reading for more!
Top Causes of Infertility in Women
1) You’re just coming off of the birth control pill
If you’re using the hormonal pill and you have stopped starting to try and get pregnant, your body may still be adjusting to however long it was on it. Remember, when we take birth control, our body is flooded with hormones, hormones that are designed to stop us from having a baby! Give it some time and after a year, contact your doctor to schedule an appointment with them.
2) Age may be a factor
According to the Mayo Clinic, if you’re under 35, you should try for at least a year before testing or treatment. From 35 to 40, discussing your concerns with a doctor may be necessary after six months of trying. If you are older than 40, you may want to consult a doctor and began treatment or testing right away so you can discuss your fertility with them.
3) You have an ovulation disorder
4) You’re not having enough sex
So for pregnancy to happen, many, MANY things need to go the right way. First off, you need to be ovulating. Your partner’s sperm needs to enter your body. You need to be having regular intercourse while you are in your fertile window. On top of this, your uterus needs to be normal and you need to have open fallopian tubes. According to the Mayo Clinic, you need to have all of this go right, and have the sperm make it into your uterus and implant there successfully. It may feel like you’re trying a lot, but
5) Endometriosis
Endometriosis is when the tissue that normally grows in your uterus implants and grows in other locations. This extra growth may require surgery, and that surgery can lead to scarring, which may block your fallopian tubes. On the other hand, the lining of your uterus may also get affected.
6) Uterine or cervical issues
According to Healthline, having tumors or benign polyps that are common in the uterus may also block fallopian tubes or interfere with implantation. A narrowing of the cervix, or not enough mucus in the area may also affect your chance of pregnancy.
7) History of smoking
Smoking damages your cervix and your fallopian tubes, but it also increases your risk of miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy. It also ages your ovaries and depletes your eggs prematurely. Make sure that if treatment is recommended for you, you stop smoking immediately.
