It is now becoming increasingly common for couples to seek medical assistance to have a baby. In most cases there will be one or more causes that a specialist can pinpoint and, possibly, treat.

The most common female infertility factor is an ovulation disorder. Other causes of female infertility include blocked fallopian tubes,which can occur when a woman has had pelvic inflammatory disease or endometriosis. Congenital anomalies (birth defects) involving the structure of the uterus and uterine fibroids are associated with repeated miscarriages. Aging is also an important factor in female infertility. The ability for ovaries to produce eggs declines with age, especially after age 35.

Ovulation and egg quality

Ovulation problems result when one part of the system that controls reproductive function malfunctions.Without ovulation, eggs are not available to be fertilized. Signs of problems with ovulation include irregular menstrual periods or no periods. Simple lifestyle factors - including stress, diet, or athletic training - can affect a woman’s hormonal balance. Much less often, a hormonal imbalance from a serious medical problem such as a pituitary gland tumor can cause ovulation problems.

Blocked fallopian tubes

The two fallopian tubes provide safe passage for your eggs to travel from your ovaries to your uterus. Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), endometriosis, scar tissue, adhesions and damaged tube ends (fimbria) can result in blocked or otherwise abnormal fallopian tubes. Even if you ovulate regularly, blocked tubes make pregnancy next to impossible, since your egg can’t get to your uterus, and sperm can’t get to your egg.

Aging is also an important factor in female infertility.As she matures, the chance for pregnancy decreases and the odds for miscarriage increase. At 25, a woman has a 25% of becoming pregnant during unprotected sexual intercourse. This percentage begins to decrease between the ages of 32 and 34. After that, the decline is steady so that the chance for pregnancy is only 5 to 10% per menstrual cycle after a woman reaches age 40.

Other causes

This last category covers a minority of cases and is a catch-all that includes recurrent miscarriage, endometriosis (listed above under “blocked tubes”, but responsible for other problems as well), or some other unexplained conditions. Discuss possible solutions and treatments with your doctor, who will refer you to an infertility specialist if necessary.