Common Causes of infertility

A woman’s fertility naturally starts to decline in her late 20’s. Age decreases the quantity and quality of a woman’s eggs, and it can impact a woman’s hormone levels and cause irregular ovulation. This is reflected in the decreased ability to become pregnant and the increased rate of miscarriage with age.

To find out if your weight may be a cause of your infertility, we recommend using the Body Mass Index (BMI). A BMI is a statistical measurement which compares a person’s weight and height.

Endometriosis is a condition in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus (the endometrial stroma and glands, which should only be located inside the uterus) is found elsewhere in the body.

Uterine fibroids originate from the smooth muscle cells in the wall of the uterus and they are the most common benign tumors in females. It is estimated that 25% of all American women have fibroids, with African American women being 3 times more likely to have fibroids than Caucasian women.

Secondary amenorrhea is when a woman who previously menstruated on a regular basis misses her periods for six months, or when a woman who previously experienced irregular periods skips her periods for 12 months.

Ovulatory disorders are the most common form of infertility in women. Affecting nearly 40% of women in child-bearing age, ovulatory disorders directly affect the ovaries’ ability to release the egg.

The male reproductive system is both internal and external. Internally, the testicles located in the scrotal sac produce sperm and testosterone.

Tubal disease is a disorder in which the fallopian tubes are blocked or damaged. Blocked or damaged fallopian tubes restrict the egg and subsequent embryo from making it from the ovary into the uterus, thereby causing infertility.

PCOS is caused by hormonal imbalances that prevent ovulation. A woman with PCOS will not produce enough FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) to make the ovary mature and release eggs during a menstrual cycle.