Female Infertility
The most common causes of female infertility include fallopian tube damage or blockage, endometriosis, ovulation disorders, elevated prolactin, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), early menopause, benign uterine fibroids and polyps, and pelvic adhesions (scar tissue).
Fallopian Tube Damage or Blockage
Fallopian tube damage usually results from inflammation of the fallopian tube (salpingitis). Chlamydia, a sexually transmitted disease, is the most frequent cause. Tubal inflammation may go unnoticed or it can cause pain and fever. Tubal damage is the major risk factor of an ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy in the tube), which increases with each occurrence of tubal infection. Previous episodes of appendicitis and occasionally gall bladder infections can also cause infection to run down into the pelvis where the inflammation can damage the fallopian tubes. Learn More
Endometriosis
Endometriosis occurs when the uterine tissue implants and grows outside of the uterus. This negatively affects the function of the ovaries, uterus and fallopian tubes. Endometriosis responds to the hormonal cycle growing, shedding and bleeding in sync with the lining of the uterus each month. This can lead to pain, scarring and inflammation. Pelvic pain, painful menses, painful intercourse, and infertility are common in women with endometriosis. Learn More
Ovulation Disorders
Some cases of female infertility are caused by ovulation disorders. Disruption in the part of the brain that regulates ovulation can cause low levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). Even slight irregularities in the hormone system can affect ovulation. Specific causes of hypothalamic-pituitary disorders include injury, tumors, excessive exercise and starvation or malnutrition.
Elevated Prolactin (Hyperprolactinemia)
The hormone prolactin stimulates breast milk production. High levels in women who aren’t pregnant or nursing may affect ovulation. An elevation in prolactin levels may also indicate the presence of a pituitary tumor. In addition, some drugs can elevate levels of prolactin. High prolactin is also sometimes completely silent and only screening blood tests can determine if there is a problem. Learn More
Polycystic Ovary Syndrom (PCOS)
PCOS occurs when your body produces too much testosterone and insulin, which affects ovulation. PCOS is associated with insulin resistance (pre-diabetes) and obesity. 20% of women with PCOS are actually slender. In this case, the diagnosis is made by evaluating menstrual patterns, blood tests, and ultrasound examinations of the ovaries. Learn More
Early Menopause (Premature Ovarian Failure)
Early menopause is the absence of menstruation and the early depletion of ovarian follicles before age 35. Although the cause is often unknown, certain conditions are associated with early menopause, including immune system diseases, radiation or chemotherapy treatment, and smoking. Learn More
Benign Uterine Fibroids and Endometrial Polyps
Fibroids and polyps are benign tumors in the wall of the uterus and are common in women in their 30′s. Occasionally, fibroids can cause infertility by blocking the fallopian tubes. Fibroids are more common in women with African ancestry. Polyps grow over the years as a result of chronic ovulation problems. Some polyps form for no apparent reason.
Both Fibroids and polyps can generally be treated surgically with excellent results. Learn More
Pelvic Adhesions
Pelvic adhesions are bands of scar tissue that bind organs after pelvic infection, appendicitis, or abdominal or pelvic surgery. This scare tissue formation may impair fertility by pinning the tubes down and preventing their movements that are designed to find and catch drifting eggs.
Learn More
Thyroid Disorders and Thyroid Disease
Either too much thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism) or too little (hypothyroidism) can interrupt the menstrual cycle and cause infertility.
Infertility can also result when the body attacks its own thyroid gland: a condition called autoimmune thyroiditis or Hashimoto’s Disease. This condition is frequently missed because its blood markers may come and go as the disease goes through cycles and flair ups. Learn More
Cancer Treatment
Certain cancers, particularly female reproductive cancers, often severely impair female fertility. Both radiation and chemotherapy may affect reproduction in both women and men. Learn More
Caffeine Intake
Excessive caffeine consumption may reduce fertility. Moderate use of caffeine is recommended before attempting a pregnancy. We recommend no more than one or two caffeinated beverages each day. Learn More
Fallopian Tube Damage or Blockage
Fallopian tube damage usually results from inflammation of the fallopian tube (salpingitis). Chlamydia, a sexually transmitted disease, is the most frequent cause. Tubal inflammation may go unnoticed or it can cause pain and fever. Tubal damage is the major risk factor of an ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy in the tube), which increases with each occurrence of tubal infection. Previous episodes of appendicitis and occasionally gall bladder infections can also cause infection to run down into the pelvis where the inflammation can damage the fallopian tubes. Learn More
Endometriosis
Endometriosis occurs when the uterine tissue implants and grows outside of the uterus. This negatively affects the function of the ovaries, uterus and fallopian tubes. Endometriosis responds to the hormonal cycle growing, shedding and bleeding in sync with the lining of the uterus each month. This can lead to pain, scarring and inflammation. Pelvic pain, painful menses, painful intercourse, and infertility are common in women with endometriosis. Learn More
Ovulation Disorders
Some cases of female infertility are caused by ovulation disorders. Disruption in the part of the brain that regulates ovulation can cause low levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). Even slight irregularities in the hormone system can affect ovulation. Specific causes of hypothalamic-pituitary disorders include injury, tumors, excessive exercise and starvation or malnutrition.
Elevated Prolactin (Hyperprolactinemia)
The hormone prolactin stimulates breast milk production. High levels in women who aren’t pregnant or nursing may affect ovulation. An elevation in prolactin levels may also indicate the presence of a pituitary tumor. In addition, some drugs can elevate levels of prolactin. High prolactin is also sometimes completely silent and only screening blood tests can determine if there is a problem. Learn More
Polycystic Ovary Syndrom (PCOS)
PCOS occurs when your body produces too much testosterone and insulin, which affects ovulation. PCOS is associated with insulin resistance (pre-diabetes) and obesity. 20% of women with PCOS are actually slender. In this case, the diagnosis is made by evaluating menstrual patterns, blood tests, and ultrasound examinations of the ovaries. Learn More
Early Menopause (Premature Ovarian Failure)
Early menopause is the absence of menstruation and the early depletion of ovarian follicles before age 35. Although the cause is often unknown, certain conditions are associated with early menopause, including immune system diseases, radiation or chemotherapy treatment, and smoking. Learn More
Benign Uterine Fibroids and Endometrial Polyps
Fibroids and polyps are benign tumors in the wall of the uterus and are common in women in their 30′s. Occasionally, fibroids can cause infertility by blocking the fallopian tubes. Fibroids are more common in women with African ancestry. Polyps grow over the years as a result of chronic ovulation problems. Some polyps form for no apparent reason.
Both Fibroids and polyps can generally be treated surgically with excellent results. Learn More
Pelvic Adhesions
Pelvic adhesions are bands of scar tissue that bind organs after pelvic infection, appendicitis, or abdominal or pelvic surgery. This scare tissue formation may impair fertility by pinning the tubes down and preventing their movements that are designed to find and catch drifting eggs.
Learn More
Thyroid Disorders and Thyroid Disease
Either too much thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism) or too little (hypothyroidism) can interrupt the menstrual cycle and cause infertility.
Infertility can also result when the body attacks its own thyroid gland: a condition called autoimmune thyroiditis or Hashimoto’s Disease. This condition is frequently missed because its blood markers may come and go as the disease goes through cycles and flair ups. Learn More
Cancer Treatment
Certain cancers, particularly female reproductive cancers, often severely impair female fertility. Both radiation and chemotherapy may affect reproduction in both women and men. Learn More
Caffeine Intake
Excessive caffeine consumption may reduce fertility. Moderate use of caffeine is recommended before attempting a pregnancy. We recommend no more than one or two caffeinated beverages each day. Learn More