Infertility Frequently Asked Questions
What are the common causes of infertility?
Infertility may be caused by one or more factors that affect either the man or the woman, or in some cases both partners.
For men, the most common reason for infertility is a problem with the sperm. Sperm problems may involve the quantity, quality, and/or motility of the sperm. Sometimes a man may not produce any sperm, or perhaps just too few sperm. In other cases, sperm may be malformed and die before they have a chance to reached the egg for possible fertilization. Problems with the delivery of sperm from the penis into the vagina may also be a cause for infertility. These problems include erectile dysfunction, problems with ejaculation, or blockage of the ejaculatory ducts.
For women, the most common reason for infertility is a disorder with ovulation that may prevent the development of a viable egg. Other common reasons include blockage of the fallopian tubes, which can be caused by endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, adhesions and scarring; a poor ovarian reserve or ovarian failure caused by aging or other factors; or a defect in the female anatomy that affects the movement of the egg into the uterus or prevents implantation.