Fertility ProblemsWhat Increases Your Risk
Infertility has many causes that involve either the
woman's, the man's, or both partners'
reproductive systems. Some factors that increase your
risk of infertility are within your control; others are not.
Risk factors you cannot control
include: - Aging. Rates of infertility (not due to
surgical sterilization) in women increase with age and are about:3
- 7% in women ages 20 to 24.
- 9%
in women ages 25 to 29.
- 15% in women ages 30 to 34.
- 22%
in women ages 35 to 39.
- 29% in women ages 40 to 44.
- Problems with the male or female reproductive
system that were present at birth (congenital birth
defects).
- Exposure to
DES (diethylstilbestrol) before
birth.
- Moderate or severe
endometriosis, the growth of uterine lining
(endometrial) cells in other parts of the abdominal cavity (such as the ovaries
or fallopian tubes, the outer surface of the uterus, the bowels, or other
abdominal organs).
- Past exposure to very high levels of
environmental toxins, certain drugs, or high doses of radiation (including
cancer chemotherapy or radiation).
- Past infection with a sexually
transmitted disease (such as
gonorrhea or
chlamydia) that has since damaged the reproductive
system.
Risk factors you can control include: -
Polycystic ovary syndrome, which is
related to a hormone imbalance that interferes with normal ovulation. When
weight loss with diet and exercise does not stimulate ovulation (or is not
necessary), medication often helps.
- Tobacco or marijuana use, which
reduces sperm counts and female fertility.
- Drinking more than 2 to
4 alcoholic beverages daily for several months, which decreases male fertility
and causes injury to sperm.
- Frequent (daily) or infrequent (every
10 to 14 days) ejaculation, either of which can temporarily lower sperm count.
- Timing and frequency of intercourse—some experts say that the
ideal frequency is every day for 3 days during the midpoint in the woman's
cycle, ending the day before
ovulation.3 Others say that
given a normal sperm count, daily sex during the
fertile period may lower sperm count, but it does
increase the overall chance of pregnancy.4
- Increased temperature in a man's
scrotal area, which can damage sperm (common causes
are hot tub use and high fever).
- Exercising intensely for months or
years, which may affect a man's sperm count and prevent a woman's
ovulation.
- Prior surgical sterilization, such as
vasectomy or
tubal ligation. Surgical sterilization reversal may be
successful, depending on the procedure used and how much time has passed since
original surgery.
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