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Infertility
What causes it?
Most couples who are trying actively to have a child experience successful conception rates of about 20%-25% per month. Conception means becoming pregnant. It is the fertilization of a woman?s egg by a man?s sperm. Surprisingly, though, the biological process of having a child is not always simple. Both the male and female reproductive systems are quite complicated. For successful conception and pregnancy, a series of complex and interconnected hormonal events must take place with relatively precise timing. Even a small disturbance in any one of these processes can result in infertility. Although infertility is not a life-threatening condition, it can be very difficult to deal with - both emotionally and financially.
Either or both members of the couple may have health issues contributing to infertility. The National Women?s Health Information Center estimates that approximately one-third of infertility cases have causes relating to the man (male factors); roughly another third of cases have causes related to the woman (female factors); and the remaining cases have multiple or unknown causes. Although abnormalities in the reproductive system account for most cases of infertility, other physical factors that can affect fertility include extreme exercise activity, injuries, and overweight or underweight. In addition, being exposed to certain chemicals, taking certain prescription medications, using illegal drugs, smoking cigarettes, drinking alcohol, or consuming high amounts of caffeine can also decrease fertility. Along with physical causes, fertility can be affected by many other factors ? such as anxiety and stress.
While most infertility results from long-term conditions, some causes of infertility may be temporary. For example, because heat decreases sperm production and functioning, a man who uses a sauna or holds a portable computer on his lap for an extended length of time may be less fertile than usual for several hours or days afterward. An active infection of the reproductive tract may interfere with either male or female fertility until the infection is cured.
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What causes it?
