Health Conditions

What are the risk factors?

Certain risk factors (traits or actions that contribute to having certain conditions) are associated with infertility. Early detection and treatment of infertility may help to prevent problems that are more serious later, so couples having difficulty conceiving should consult a doctor if any of the following risk factors for infertility are present.

Risk Factors for Men

• Chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, psoriasis, or ulcers; and some of the medications used to treat them
• Exposure to hazardous chemicals (such as lead, mercury, or pesticides) or other toxins (such as radioactivity or x-rays)
• Having the mumps after puberty (the age when sexual organs mature)
• Heavy alcohol consumption
• Hernia surgery
• Obesity
• Prostate gland infection
• Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, or syphilis
• Smoking cigarettes or marijuana
• Stress or anxiety
• Traumatic injury
• Undescended testicles (also called cryptorchidism or empty testicles, the testicles remain in the abdomen rather than moving into the scrotum before birth)
• Use of diethylstilbestrol (DES) by the man?s mother during her pregnancy
• Use of hot baths, saunas, steam rooms, or whirlpools

Risk Factors for Women

• Abnormal pap smears, especially those that resulted in treatment with cryosurgery (the use of intense cold to destroy abnormal cervical tissue) or a cone biopsy (surgery to remove a small section of abnormal tissue from the cervix)
• Age over 30
• Chronic conditions (such as arthritis, asthma, diabetes, hypertension, systemic lupus erythematosus) and some of the medications used to treat them
• Eating disorders
• Ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy outside the uterus)
• Endometriosis or a family history of endometriosis in close female relatives (mother, sisters)
• Extremely intense regular exercise
• Hair growth on unusual areas such as the face; acne on the face, chest, or abdomen; mannish facial features
• Heavy alcohol consumption
• Irregular menstrual cycles or very heavy menstrual flow
• Multiple miscarriages or abortions
• Obesity
• Ovarian cysts
• Pelvic surgery
• Ruptured appendix
• Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, or syphilis
• Smoking cigarettes or marijuana
• Stress or anxiety
• Traumatic injury
• Tubal surgery
• Use of an intrauterine device (IUD) for contraception
• Use of diethylstilbestrol (DES) by the woman?s mother during her pregnancy
• Very low body fat