What Causes Infertility?

Once a couple learns that one or both of them suffer from infertility, they often want to know what causes infertility. Infertility occurs for a number of reasons and in some cases can occur when no health problems or other causes of infertility appear to be present at all. To deal with infertility, it's best to understand what causes it and visit a doctor to find out which causes are affecting you. 

1. Endometriosis. Endometriosis is a disorder which causes the uterine lining to grow on the outside of the uterus as well as the inside. Each month during the woman's menstrual cycle, her body sheds this lining from both the outside and the inside of the uterus. It can cause damage to the reproductive organs and may lead to infertility. Birth control pills and surgery are two possible treatment options for controlling endometriosis.
2. Ovulation Disorder. An ovulation disorder occurs when a woman's body is not releasing an egg like it should. An imbalance in the body causes it not to release an egg due to the lack of the proper hormones which trigger its release. Fertility clinics have various options for treating an ovulation disorder so the couple can conceive.
3. Problems with Sperm. Infertility can occur in men as well. Problems include a low sperm count or a problem with the shape of the sperm which makes them unable to reach the egg. Other health or lifestyle issues may also affect the man's performance or affect his body so that he is not producing sperm properly. If the doctor cannot find a cure for the infertility in men, artificial insemination may be used.
4. Health Issues. Health issues can also play a role in infertility, even if they are unrelated to the reproductive system. Drinking, drug use, and even a stressful lifestyle all play a role in a person's overall health and any one of these can be a cause for infertility. Talking with a doctor is the best way to determine what the cause of infertility is and what lifestyle choices to make to increase the chances of becoming pregnant.