Top 16 Main Causes Of Infertility In Women And Men

causes of infertility in men

Overview

About 20 to 35 percent cases of infertility are caused by physiological issues in women and 20 to 30 percent due to physiological issues in men. Infertility is generally described as an inability to conceive even after having frequent unprotected sex. In most cases, the modern lifestyle is considered as one of the chief causes of infertility. Stress is also a leading reason for infertility in men and women alike.

I. Risk Factors Of Infertility

We, VKool.com, will show you some factors that increase the chance of infertility in both women and men. They include:

  • Consumption of Alcohol: Consuming alcohol has different adverse effects on health. Typically, it reduces the quality of sperm and sperm count in men. It also decreases the chances of getting pregnant in women.
  • Smoking: Smoking can increase the chance of infertility on women and men. Along with that, it affects the egg in females, increases the chance of miscarriage, and deteriorates the count and quality of sperm in men.
  • Stress: Both anxiety and stress may be caused by different reasons; it might be associated with personal problems or work. But chronic mental stress lasting for a long period has been indicated to affect sperm production and female ovulation thereby decreasing the chances of conception.
  • Sexually Transmitted Infections: Some sexually transmitted infections (STD) such as gonorrhea and chlamydia can affect both female and male fertility. Basically, these infections will damage inflame the scrotum in male and the female fallopian tubes.
  • Being Obese or Overweight: Excessive body weight can increase the chance of developing abnormal sperm in males and lower the chances of getting pregnant in females.

II. Causes Of Infertility In Women

1. Tubal Infertility

Blockage or damaged fallopian tube is one of the main causes of infertility in female. The blockage can be caused by pelvic inflammatory disease or STD of the uterus preventing the sperms from meeting the egg.  Also, the fallopian tube can be damaged by the previous surgeries of your abdomen. Pelvic tuberculosis is also another common reason for tubal infertility.

Read more: Home remedies for infertility in men and in women

2. Causes Of Infertility – Hormonal Problems

Dysfunction of the two vital hormones- luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is one of the main causes of infertility in women. Sudden weight gain or weight loss, and excessive emotional or physical stress can disrupt the complex balance of those hormones. As a result, this disrupts the periodic procedure of ovulation.

3. Damaged Ovaries

causes of infertility - damaged ovaries

One of the causes of infertility in women is physical infection or damage to the ovaries. Invasive and extensive surgeries of the ovary for eliminating ovarian cysts can damage and scar the ovarian capsules. It prevents ovulation and causes infertility.

4. Causes Of Infertility – Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the main reason for anovulation caused due to changes in the pituitary gland and hypothalamus which lead to hormonal imbalance. The levels of luteinizing hormone either increase or remain normal while the production of follicle-stimulating hormone reduces in polycystic ovary syndrome. All these conditions cause the premature development of ovarian follicles in which an egg can’t mature properly. In certain cases, cysts can be detected in the follicle.

Read more: Natural home remedies for PCOS infertility

5. Abdominal Diseases

Generally speaking, chronic abdominal diseases and viral and bacterial infections can result in female infertility. The infections are mainly caused by viruses and sexually transmitted bacteria that cause inflammation, damage, and scarring of the fallopian tube. Also, abdominal diseases such as appendicitis or chronic colitis damage the abdominal cavity causing blockage and scarring of the fallopian tubes.

Read more: How to deal with infertility depression: myths & tips

6. Causes Of Infertility – Endometriosis

Endometriosis can affect the ovaries, uterus, fallopian tubes and eggs. It also prevents the sperm from reaching the eggs. You can use laparoscopy for infertility to identify the growth. It can be eliminated surgically but surgical removal contains its risks as it affects the lining of the uterus and scars the tube.

III. Causes Of Infertility In Men

1. Problem In Sperm Transport

Basically, the problem in sperm transport is one of the main causes of infertility in men. Generally, the tubes might be damaged by illness or injury. People suffering from cystic fibrosis can also experience the problem of sperm transport.

Read more: How to improve sperm motility naturally

2. Causes Of Infertility – Hormonal Problems

Hormonal problems are one of the causes of infertility. The pituitary gland will fail to send the accurate signal to the testicles, which lead to a lack of sperm production and lower production of testosterone altogether. Also, abnormalities in other hormonal systems including the pituitary, adrenal glands, and hypothalamus affect fertility in men.

Learn more: Best foods to boost fertility naturally

3. Varicocele

causes of infertility - varicocele

A varicocele is another common cause of male infertility. Varicoceles can lead to reduced quality of the sperm in men. Treating the varicocele can promote numbers and function of sperm, and may improve outcomes potentially when taking assisted reproductive techniques

4. Causes Of Infertility – Ejaculation Issues

As semen gets in the bladder during orgasm, retrograde ejaculation occurs. Various health conditions such as diabetes, medications, spinal injuries, and surgery of the prostate, bladder, or urethra can lead to retrograde ejaculation.

5. Infection

Some certain infections may interfere with sperm health or sperm production or can result in scarring blocking the passage of sperm. They include inflammation of the testicles (orchitis) or epididymis (epididymitis) and some STD (sexually transmitted infections), including HIV or gonorrhea.

6. Causes Of Infertility – Tumors

Nonmalignant tumors and cancers can directly affect the reproductive organs in men through the glands releasing hormones associated with reproduction. In some cases, radiation, chemotherapy or surgery to combat tumors can affect fertility in men.

7. Certain Medications

Generally speaking, use of anabolic steroid for the long-term, testosterone replacement therapy, certain antifungal medications, cancer medications (chemotherapy), some ulcer drugs as well as certain other medications can affect sperm production and reduce male fertility.

8. Causes Of Infertility – Prior Surgeries

Some certain surgeries such as vasectomy, scrotal or testicular surgeries, inguinal hernia repairs, prostate surgeries, & large abdominal surgeries may inhibit you from having sperm in the ejaculate. Basically, surgeries can be performed to reverse this blockage or to directly retrieve sperm from the testicles and epididymis.

9. Alcohol Use

Consuming alcohol can affect men’s health in generally and their infertility in particularly. It can reduce testosterone levels, decrease sperm production and cause erectile dysfunction. Apart from that, liver disease caused due to excessive drinking may result in fertility problems.

10. Causes Of Infertility – Emotional Stress

Stress can affect certain hormones that are needed to produce sperm. Particularly, prolonged or severe emotional stress can affect the sperm count.

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Stay aware of the main causes of infertility but do not worry about them since there are a few high-end infertility tests for women and men through which the issue can be treated effectively and diagnosed in no time. If you want to read more articles related to sex problems, you can visit our main Sexual Health page. Also, share with us if you know more other causes of infertility in women and men.

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