Causes of Female Infertility
Causes of Female Infertility
Transcript
Dr. Roger Lobo, of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine explains the causes of female infertility.
Hi, I'm Dr. Roger Lobo from the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Today, we're talking about the causes of female infertility.
There are three main causes of female infertility. Problems with ovulation, structural problems, and unexplained infertility.
The most common cause of female infertility has to do with ovulation which is a process during which an egg is released. Up to a third of female infertility cases are due to ovulation problems. For many of these women age plays a role. Another condition is normal female aging. As women get older sometimes the pattern with which a woman ovulates might be altered and that can also lead to more difficulty conceiving. Aging leads to infertility because of changing hormones and decreasing numbers of eggs. In addition, eating disorders and excessive stress and exercise can negatively affect hormones and result in anovulation, which means not releasing eggs.
Another factor is structural problems in a woman's reproductive tract typically affecting the fallopian tubes or uterus. This can interfere with the transporting and implantation of the fertilized egg. Some women are born with problems in these organs such as an abnormally shaped uterus. Others may have fibroids which are benign tumors growing in the walls of the uterus. This can affect the ability of the embryo to implant. But damage can also occur with conditions such as sexually transmitted diseases, infections, and previous surgeries leading to blocked and/or scarred fallopian tubes. Scar tissue can also involve the ovary and other pubic organs. Endometriosis is a condition in which the tissues normally found only inside the uterus are deposited in other places in the woman's body. This process affects many aspects of reproductive function and typically causes pelvic pain as well.
The last cause is, unfortunately, the most frustrating because it cannot be explained. For some women, the cause of infertility cannot be found. However, research is being conducted to find answers. Finally, it is important to remember that for many women infertility is often due to more than one cause.
To learn more, check out our other videos on infertility, including Causes of Male Infertility.
Videos
Resources For You
Advocacy Resources
ASRM has prepared resources to help you explain and advocate for reproductive rights and the continuation of in vitro fertilization and other fertility treatments.
Frequently Asked Questions
ASRM's Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) provides answers to common questions about reproductive health.
Patient Journeys
ASRM has resources and publications to help you through each stage of your journey.
State and Territory Infertility Insurance Laws
One way that ASRM works to improve access to fertility care is by advocating for insurance coverage for reproductive medicine care. All patients should have access to the care they need.
Fact Sheets and Infographics
ASRM produces a series of fact sheets and booklets on various topics related to infertility, reproductive health, and family planning. The fact sheets and booklets are available in English, Spanish, and Chinese.
Reproductive Rights and You
The Dobbs decision has sparked a litany of changes in state laws across the nation, and more are expected. We need your help!
Reproductive Topics
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Patient Education Videos
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Read real-life stories from patients who have faced reproductive medicine challenges and come out stronger on the other side.
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Gebelik elde edememiş çiftlere, korunmasız şekilde 12 ay boyunca denemelerine rağmen gebe kalamamışlarsa fertilite testleri önerilmektedir. View the fact sheet
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If you've been trying to get pregnant for more than a year, you may have infertility. Infertility is a disease of the reproductive system that impairs one of the body's most basic functions: the conception of children.
View the Patient Journey
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Am I Ovulating?
Ovulation is the release of an egg from a woman’s ovaries and is essential for getting pregnant. View the Fact Sheet
Abnormalities of the Female Reproductive Tract (Müllerian Anomalies)
Sometimes the uterus and fallopian tubes may not form like they should. These malformations are called müllerian anomalies or defects. Müllerian anomalies may make it difficult or impossible to become pregnant. View the Fact Sheet
Conditions Treated with Surgery on the Fallopian Tubes and Ovaries
Surgery can be used to treat problems with the ovaries or fallopian tubes, such as cysts, endometriosis, or infections. View the Fact Sheet
Diagnostic Testing for Infertility
An evaluation of a woman for infertility is appropriate for women who have not become pregnant after having 12 months of regular, unprotected intercourse. View the Fact Sheet
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“Dilation and curettage” (D&C) is a short surgical procedure that removes tissue from your uterus (womb). You may need this procedure if you have unexplained or abnormal bleeding or if you have delivered a baby and placental tissue remains in your womb. View the Fact Sheet
Evaluation of the Uterus
If you haven’t been able to get pregnant after trying for 6 months, some tests can be done to help find the reason. Your doctor may test your hormone levels, your partner’s sperm, and your reproductive organs (ovaries, fallopian tubes, and uterus [womb]). View the Fact Sheet
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Fertility Drugs And The Risk of Multiple Births
Infertility treatments that cause multiple eggs to develop make it more likely that you will become pregnant with twins, triplets, or more. This is called multiple gestation. View the Fact Sheet
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Ovulation, the release of an egg from its follicle in one of a woman’s two ovaries, is one of the most important factors in conceiving a child. View the fact sheet
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One of the easiest ways to determine if you are underweight or overweight is to calculate your body mass index (BMI). View the fact sheet
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Gebelik için ideal kiloda olup olmadığınızı anlamanın en kolay yollarından biri, vücut kitle indeksinizi (VKİ) hesaplamaktır. View the fact sheet
Yumurtlamanın Belirlenmesi
Ovulasyon (yumurtlama), yumurtalığın içindeki folikülden bir yumurtanın salınmasıdır. View the fact sheet
Yumurtluyor muyum?
Ovulasyon, bir kadının yumurtalıklarından bir yumurtanın salınmasıdır ve hamile kalmak için gereklidir. View the fact sheet
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Infertility: an Overview (booklet)
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Infertility is the result of a disease (an interruption, cessation, or disorder of body functions, systems, or organs) of the male or female reproductive tract which prevents the conception of a child or the ability to carry a pregnancy to delivery. Watch Video
Basic Infertility Evaluation
Dr. Roger Lobo of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine discusses the various methods to evaluate infertility. Watch Video
Fibroid Tumors
An educational video that answers patient questions about the causes, symptoms, diagnosis and management of uterine fibroids. Watch Video
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Dr. Roger Lobo of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine discusses the various treatments for infertility. Watch Video
Understanding Fertility
In this video series, Dr. Roger Lobo explains the basics of infertility, including causes, treatments and coping methods. Watch Video
Surviving the Roller Coaster Emotions of Infertility Treatment
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Endometriosis (booklet)
Women with endometriosis may experience infertility, pelvic pain, or both. This booklet will describe options for diagnosing and treating pain or infertility that may be attributed to endometriosis. View the Booklet
Causes of Female Infertility
Dr. Roger Lobo, of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine explains the causes of female infertility. Watch Video
FAQ About Infertility
Infertility is not an inconvenience; it's a disease of the reproductive system. Learn the facts
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ASRM has prepared infographics to illustrate the subject of Female Fertility better. View the Infographics
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Noncontraceptive Benefits of Birth Control Pills
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Many women have pain in their pelvis (lower part of the belly) from time to time, usually during their period. View the fact sheet
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Fallopian tubes connect the ovary (where the eggs are stored and grow) to the uterus (womb), where the fertilized egg develops into a baby (fetus). View the fact sheet
Hydrosalpinx
The fallopian tubes are attached to the uterus (womb) on the left and right sides. View the Fact Sheet
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Pek çok kişi yaşamlarının bir döneminde doğum kontrolhaplarını kullanır. View the fact sheet
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Causes of Female Infertility
Dr. Roger Lobo, of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine explains the causes of female infertility. Watch Video
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An educational video that answers patient questions about the causes, symptoms, diagnosis and management of uterine fibroids. Watch Video
Causes of Female Infertility
Dr. Roger Lobo, of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine explains the causes of female infertility. Watch Video
Fibroids or Myomas or Leiomyomas Infographics
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ASRM PRIMED Cohort Members—Including Physicians, Providers, and Experts—Meet with Congressional Offices to Advocate for IVF Access & Educate About Realities of Restorative Reproductive Medicine
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SRS Warns Against Limiting Access to IVF Under the Guise of “Restorative” Care
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Fertility and Sterility Publishes Editorial Piece on How Restorative Reproductive Medicine Violates Reproductive Autonomy and Informed Consent
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ASRM, Leading Medical Organizations Urge National Governors Association to Reject ‘Restorative Reproductive Medicine’ in Open Letter
Medical groups urge governors to reject Restorative Reproductive Medicine laws, defending evidence-based infertility care and IVF access.
ASRM Center for Policy and Leadership Releases Fact Sheet on Following the Science & An Evidence-Based, Science-Driven Response to Infertility
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Follow the Science: An Evidence-Based, Science-Driven Response to Infertility
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ASRM Ethics Committee Delivers New Opinion on Assisted Reproduction with Advancing Parental Age
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View the NIAW Toolkit
SART Fertility Experts - Military Families and Fertility
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SART Fertility Experts - Q&A on Infertility
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SART Fertility Experts - Environmental Impacts on Fertility
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SART Fertility Experts - Recurrent Pregnancy Loss and Implantation Failure
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SART Fertility Experts - Wellness and Fertility: Diet, Sleep and Exercise
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Gebelik elde edememiş çiftlere, korunmasız şekilde 12 ay boyunca denemelerine rağmen gebe kalamamışlarsa fertilite testleri önerilmektedir. View the fact sheet
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About 20% of infertility cases are due to a male factor alone. Another 30% involves both male and female factors.
View the Patient Journey
Female Fertility Journey
If you've been trying to get pregnant for more than a year, you may have infertility. Infertility is a disease of the reproductive system that impairs one of the body's most basic functions: the conception of children.
View the Patient Journey
Stress and infertility
It is not clear how exactly stress impacts fertility. Read the Fact Sheet
Hyperprolactinemia (High Prolactin Levels)
Prolactin is a hormone produced by your pituitary gland which sits at the bottom of the brain. Read the fact sheet
Optimizing Male Fertility
About 20% of infertility cases are due to a male factor alone. Another 30% involves both male and female factors. View the fact sheet
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Infertility is “the inability to conceive after 12 months of unprotected intercourse.” View the Fact Sheet
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Can a fertility program or clinic deny treatment to patient(s) if there is concern about the ability to care for the child(ren)? Yes. Fertility programs can withhold services if there are signs that patients will not be able to care for child(ren). View this Fact Sheet
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Infertility is a medical condition that touches all aspects of your life. View the fact sheet
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İn vitro maturasyon (IVM), yumurtaların vücut dışında toplanıp olgunlaştırılması işlemidi. View the fact sheet
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Kısırlık “12 aylık korunmasız ilişkiye karşın gebe kalamamadır. View the fact sheet
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Çoğu insan, sigara içmenin kalp, damar ve akciğer hastalıkları riskini artırdığını bilir. View the fact sheet
SART Fertility Experts - Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a condition that can affect many facets of a person’s life, from pelvic pain to struggles with infertility. Listen to the Episode
SART Fertility Experts - Recurrent Pregnancy Loss
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This is a condition when a woman has 2 or more clinical pregnancy losses (miscarriages) before the pregnancies reach 20 weeks. View the fact sheet
Saline infusion sonohysterogram (SHG)
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SART Fertility Experts Teaser
Stress and Infertility
Medical procedures, cost, outcome uncertainty, and unwanted or unhelpful advice from friends and family are stressors associated with infertility treatment. Watch Video
Infertility: an Overview (booklet)
Infertility is typically defined as the inability to achieve pregnancy after one year of unprotected intercourse. View the booklet
Male Fertility and Infertility - a patient education video
Male Factor Infertility is responsible for about 30% of infertility cases and can contribute infertility to an additional 20% of cases. Watch Video
Infertility
Infertility is the result of a disease (an interruption, cessation, or disorder of body functions, systems, or organs) of the male or female reproductive tract which prevents the conception of a child or the ability to carry a pregnancy to delivery. Watch Video
Basic Infertility Evaluation
Dr. Roger Lobo of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine discusses the various methods to evaluate infertility. Watch Video
Fibroid Tumors
An educational video that answers patient questions about the causes, symptoms, diagnosis and management of uterine fibroids. Watch Video
Infertility Treatments
Dr. Roger Lobo of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine discusses the various treatments for infertility. Watch Video
Understanding Fertility
In this video series, Dr. Roger Lobo explains the basics of infertility, including causes, treatments and coping methods. Watch Video
Surviving the Roller Coaster Emotions of Infertility Treatment
The experience of infertility is a rollercoaster of hope and disappointment. Treatment presents an opportunity for hope as well as a new set of challenges. Watch Video
Sexual dysfunction and infertility
Sexual dysfunction is a problem in a person’s sexual desire, arousal, or orgasm. View the fact sheet
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Dr. Roger Lobo of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine discusses various methods of coping with infertility. Watch Video
Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a condition in which endometrial tissue, which normally lines the uterus, develops outside of the uterine cavity in abnormal locations. Watch Video
Causes of Female Infertility
Dr. Roger Lobo, of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine explains the causes of female infertility. Watch Video
Age and Fertility (booklet)
Generally, reproductive potential decreases as women get older, and fertility can be expected to end 5 to 10 years before menopause. View the Booklet
Causes of Male Infertility
Dr. Roger Lobo, of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine explains the causes of male infertility. Watch Video
FAQ About Infertility
Infertility is not an inconvenience; it's a disease of the reproductive system. Learn the facts
FAQ About the Psychological Component of Infertility
Infertility often creates one of the most distressing life crises that a couple has ever experienced together. Learn the facts
Mary Dolan's Story
Infertility Infographics
ASRM has prepared infographics to illustrate the subject of Infertility better. View the infographicsFind a Health Professional
