Infertility means not being able to get pregnant after at least one year of trying — or 6 months if the woman is over 35. A woman who keeps having miscarriages is also said to be infertile.
Causes
Female infertility can come from:
- age;
- physical problems;
- hormone problems;
- lifestyle or environmental factors.
Most cases in women come from problems producing eggs. Two examples:
| Condition | What happens |
|---|---|
| Primary ovarian insufficiency | the ovaries stop working before natural menopause |
| Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) | the ovaries may not release an egg regularly, or may not release a healthy one |
Whose problem?
| Share of cases | |
|---|---|
| A problem with the woman | about a third |
| A problem with the man | a third |
| No cause found | sometimes |
What to do
If you think you might be infertile, see your doctor: tests can show whether you have fertility problems. When a cause can be found, treatment may include:
- medicines;
- surgery;
- assisted reproductive technologies.
Many couples treated for infertility go on to have babies.
Sources
Based on "Female Infertility," MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine, drawing on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office on Women's Health; a work of the United States government in the public domain.
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