Female Infertility
Affecting about one in every 10 couples – more than 1 million people in the United States alone – infertility is far more common than many people think. Women and men face fertility issues at about the same rate, with roughly one-third of problems attributable to the woman and one-third to the man. The remaining third includes couples with both partners affected as well as the couples with unexplained infertility.
We will work closely with you to pinpoint the cause of any issues — whether in the woman, the man or both — and design a plan to help you overcome these obstacles and make your vision of family a reality.
Common Female Infertility Issues
A woman’s fertility can be compromised by a variety of factors. A common cause of fertility issues is ovarian aging. Women do not develop new eggs over time, but are born with a finite number of eggs. As she ages, both the supply and the quality of a woman’s eggs declines. With this decline, the chance of pregnancy decreases at a rate of 3–5 percent every year after age 30. Women over 40 may find it difficult to become pregnant.
From ovulation to implantation there are many areas where difficulties can arise. Ovulation disorders can cause irregular cycles and hamper conception. Damaged fallopian tubes can prevent sperm from reaching the egg or prevent an embryo from reaching the uterus. Polyps, fibroids or other anatomic issues in the uterus can make the normal implantation process a challenge.
In men, common causes of infertility range from hormonal issues to anatomic problem to decreased sperm number. Additionally, variations in the concentration, motility and shape of sperm can affect conception. As so many men are affected by infertility, we strongly recommend screening both the male and female during your initial fertility evaluation. Learn more about Male Infertility here…