Causes of Infertility

Infertility is defined as the inability to get pregnant after a year of unprotected intercourse. In terms of seeking specialty help, there are American Society for Reproductive Medicine guidelines.

Women under 34 should seek fertility help after attempting to become pregnant for one year, through unprotected sexual intercourse, without success. Women 35 years and older should seek fertility help after attempting to become pregnant for six months, through unprotected sexual intercourse, without success. Women 39 years old and over should seek help after 3 months of trying to become pregnant without success.

Causes of Infertility

About 40 percent of the time, infertility is due to female factors; another 40 percent of cases are due to male factors; the remaining 20 percent is a result of a combination of factors from both partners or is “unexplained”—meaning no cause can be found.

Human reproduction is remarkably complicated. Several systems of the body must be in sync for the process to culminate in conception and pregnancy. It takes only one seemingly minor situation to disrupt the intricate series of events.

This information is provided for general education purposes and is not intended to take the place of a discussion with your physician. If you have questions about any aspect of your health, you are advised to speak with your physician.