The Main Causes Of Infertility - Research

Infertility refer to the biological inability of an individual to contribute to conception, or to a female who cannot carry a pregnancy to full term. This is one of the main causes of termination of marriages. With 1 in 6 couples now being diagnosed with infertility, there is no denying the time is now to work to change how we educate and manage fertility health.

Couples who are given an infertility diagnosis have usually gone through extensive fertility testing. What couples may not know is that there are often natural options  to help correct many fertility problems. 

Primary infertility is defined as a couple that has not be able to conceive after trying for a year or more of unprotected intercourse. Secondary infertility is defined as couples who have had children previously, but are unable to achieve another pregnancy.

Let us look at the Top 10 causes of infertility.

     1.   Ovulation Disorder

There are a variety of reasons a woman may have no ovulation or irregular ovulation cycles. Hormonal balance is the number one reason women have ovulation disorder.

There are many factors which play a role in regulating the menstrual cycle. When the delicate communication between the pituitary gland, the ovaries and the follicles does not work properly, ovulation does not occur.

Here are some reasons why hormonal balance may occur, causing ovulation disorder:

-Poor egg health
-Problems with one or more of the endocrine glands
–Poor nutrition
-Stress
–Xenohormones
-Poor lifestyle choices
-Low Body Weight
-Obesity
-Long-term use of fertility medications containing hormones, for example birth control.
-Genetic predisposition

      2.  Low Sperm Count

Doctors have found that 20 million sperm per mL or more is a healthy sperm count. Anything less than that is determined low sperm count.

Low sperm count may be due some or a combination of the following reasons:

-Poor lifestyle choices; smoking, drinking alcohol, poor diet, stress, environmental pollution, EMF’s, tight clothing.
-Antisperm antibodies
-Genetic predisposition
-Damage to the reproductive organs
-Illness, for example cancer treated with chemotherapy

      3.  Poor Sperm Health

This includes sperm motility (movement of the sperm, tail whip) and morphology (shape/proper formation of the sperm and DNA). 25% of infertility cases are due to poor sperm health. The causes of poor sperm health are often the same as those for low sperm count, though not all men with low sperm count will also have poor sperm health and vice versa.

      4.  Blocked Fallopian Tubes

The fallopian tubes are the pathways in which the ova travel from the ovaries down into the uterus, and if there is a blockage in these tubes it can prevent this from occurring.

The main cause of blocked fallopian tubes:

-Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), often from STD’s
-Endometriosis
–Uterine fibroids
–Ectopic pregnancy 

25% of infertility cases are due to blocked fallopian tubes. 

      5. Endometriosis

Endometriosis is when excess endometrium lining of the uterus that normally grows in preparation for the implanting of the egg begins, does not completely shed during menstruation. It then begins to attach to other places of the body besides the uterus. When menses comes not only does the lining in the uterus bleed the endometriosis that has grown in other places of the body also bleeds.

35-50% of infertility cases in women are due to endometriosis. This is two to three times the rate of infertility in the general population. 

      6. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

This syndrome is attributed to hormonal balance in the female body. The hormone imbalance may cause menstrual cycle irregularities, weight gain, insulin resistance, skin problems, small cysts in the ovaries, and hirsutism (excessive body hair/thinning head hair). Not all women who are diagnosed with PCOS have all of the symptoms or may only have a couple. PCOS is not very well understood and because each woman varies in her symptoms it can be difficult to properly diagnose and treat. PCOS is a very common condition, affecting 4-18% of reproductive age women. 

      7. Poor Egg Health

There are many factors that may impact the health of the ovaries and eggs including environmental factors, hormones in the diet, stress, lifestyle choices and aging.

Important note: Poor ovarian reserve (low follicle count) with poor egg health before the age of 40 may be a sign of  Premature Ovarian Failure (POF). This is something you will want to talk to your doctor about, including testing options to rule this out.

Poor egg health may be due some or a combination of the following reasons:

-Poor lifestyle choices; smoking, drinking alcohol, poor diet, stress, environmental pollution and sedentary lifestyle (poor circulation).
-Hormonal balance
-Genetic predisposition
-Damage to the reproductive organs
-Illness, for example cancer treated with chemotherapy
-Auto-immune disorder
-Age plays a role

      8. Anti-sperm Antibodies

In some people semen can cause an immune response. This can happen in both men and women. Antibodies are triggered during the immune response that work to kill off the sperm. High numbers of sperm antibodies can make it difficult for the sperm to reach the egg, and/or fertilize the egg. Antisperm antibodies also may damage sperm that survive, which increases chances of miscarriage.

A man’s body may create antisperm antibodies when the sperm come into contact with his immune system cells. This happens when the testicles are injured, after surgery (biopsy, vasectomy), or if the prostate gland has an infection. The testicles protect the sperm from immune cells, when they are damaged they may no longer be able to do that. Over 70% of all men who get a vasectomy will develop antisperm antibodies.

Some women’s bodies have an allergic reaction to her partner’s sperm. This stimulates the immune system to create antisperm antibodies that attack her partner’s sperm. This may also cause her vaginal tissues to react to the semen, which may result in rash, sores, or painful sexual intercourse. Doctors are not sure why this happens. 

      9. Vas Deferens Blockage

This is also known as blockage of the epididymis. The Vas Deferens is the tube in which the fertile sperm are transported. Varicocele (varicose veins) of the testicles is the number one reason for this blockage. Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD’s) such as gonorrhea or Chlamydia may also cause a blockage. Varicocele is usually treated with surgery. It is important to be treated for any STD right way to prevent damage to the reproductive organs.

      10. Combination Infertility

This is when both partners have been diagnosed with one or more fertility issues. About 20-30% of infertility cases are due to combination infertility. This diagnosis can feel devastating, but there is always hope! Please review the individual fertility issue for more information.

      11. Occupational and environmental factors

       Exposure to certain pesticides, metals and solvents can affect fertility in both men and women.

       12.  Stress

       If either you or your partner are stressed, it may affect your relationship. Stress can contribute to a loss of libido (sex drive), which in turn can reduce the frequency of sexual intercourse. Severe stress may also affect female ovulation and limit sperm production.