When a couple cannot get pregnant within one year of trying, they are infertile, according to healthcare providers. However, once the woman turns 35 or more, the considered time drops to six months before diagnosing the couple as infertile. For women over 40, immediate evaluation is warranted to diagnose infertility. However, infertility does not include miscarriage of any form. There are countless factors that contribute to the risk of infertility in men and women. Apart from this, there are common factors that affect both the genders. Here’s a look at a
Infertility Causing Factors:
- An age of 35 and above for women and 40 or above for men.
- Diabetes
- Eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia.
- Alcohol or substance abuse and smoking.
- Being exposed to toxins like lead and pesticides.
- Over exercising or not exercising
- Having undergone radiation therapy or other cancer treatments.
- Being diagnosed with sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
- Excessive stress
- Being overweight or underweight
Also Read: Types of Infertility
What are Risk Factors for Female Infertility?
There are a few specific factors that can show female infertility or contribute to it:
- Abnormal menstruation
- Blocked fallopian tubes
- Celiac disease
- A kidney disease
- Having an ectopic pregnancy in the past
- Being diagnosed with a pelvic inflammatory disease.
- Pituitary gland disorders like Cushing’s syndrome
- Polycystic ovary syndrome, ovarian cysts and lack of ovaries
- Sickle cell anaemia
- Uterine problems such as endometriosis, uterine fibroids, and uterine polyps.
- Thyroid disease
What are Risk Factors for Male Infertility?
Here are a few factors that can cause infertility in men:
- Enlarged veins or varicocele in the scrotum
- Genetic disorders, like cystic fibrosis
- Testicles being constantly exposed to higher temperatures because of ill-fitted clothes, hot baths, or saunas.
- Having an injured scrotum
- Struggling with a low sperm count or low testosterone
- Misuse of anabolic steroids
- Premature ejaculation or retrograde ejaculation, where semen flows back into the bladder.
- Testicular cancer and treatments for the same.
- Undescended testicles
Also, Read: Fertility Testing & Diagnosis for Men
What Causes Infertility?
There could be many factors contributing to infertility in men and women. A third of all infertile women have a problem affecting their reproductive system, and the same is true for a third of the infertile men. One third of infertile couples deal with problems where both the partners are infertile, or the issue is undetermined.
How Common Is Infertility?
An estimated number suggests that about one tenth of the women between the ages of 15 and 44 face issues trying to conceive. Women who have pregnancy problems might even lose the baby before the 20th week of pregnancy as a miscarriage, or after the 20th week of pregnancy in a stillbirth.
Medical science has advanced to an extent where there is hope for these couples to conceive. However, like most of the factors suggest, infertility can be the result of an unhealthy body. Hence, it is also advised that you put your health before anything else to conceive a healthy child.
There are several factors that might cause infertility, but there are several ways it can be treated. Apollo has some of the best fertility centers in Delhi, Mumbai and some other Indian cities. At these centers, you can diagnose the reasons for your infertility better with procedures like hsg test procedure, and scans.
Also, Read: Superfoods to deal with Infertility
