A diagnosis of infertility means you haven’t been able to get pregnant after a year of trying. If you’re a woman over 35, it means you haven’t been able to get pregnant after 6 months of trying.
Women who are able to conceive but not carry a pregnancy to term may also be diagnosed with infertility.
A woman who’s never been able to get pregnant will be diagnosed with primary infertility. A woman who’s had at least one successful pregnancy in the past will be diagnosed with secondary infertility.
Infertility isn’t just a woman’s problem. Men can be infertile too. In fact, men and women are equally likely to have fertility problems.
According to the Office on Women’s HealthTrusted Source, about one-third of infertility cases can be attributed to female infertility while men’s problems account for another third of infertility cases.
The remaining third of cases may be caused by a combination of male and female infertility, or they may have no known cause.
Causes of female infertility
Female infertility can be caused by a variety of factors that affect or interfere with the following biological processes:
- ovulation, when the mature egg is released from the ovary
- fertilization which occurs when sperm meets the egg in the fallopian tube after traveling through the cervix and utters
- implantation, which occurs when a fertilized egg attaches to the lining of the uterus where it can then grow and develop into a baby
Risk factors
Risk factors for female infertility include:
- increasing age
- smoking cigarettes
- heavy use of alcohol
- being overweight, obese, or significantly underweight
- having certain sexually transmitted infections (STIs) that can damage the reproductive system
Infertility testing
Infertility tests are done to help find out why a woman cannot become pregnant. The tests help find whether the problem is with the man, the woman, or both. Tests usually include a physical exam, semen analysis, blood tests, and special procedure.
Before you have infertility tests, try fertility awareness methods to find the best time to become pregnant. A woman is most fertile during ovulation and 1 to 2 days before ovulation. Some couples find that they have been missing the most fertile days when trying to become pregnant. A woman should keep a record of her menstrual cycle and when she ovulates. This record will help your doctor if you decide to have infertility tests.
To learn more, see the topic Fertility Awareness.
Consider infertility tests for you or your partner if:
- There is a physical problem, such as not being able to release sperm (ejaculate), not ovulating, or having irregular menstrual cycles.
- You are in your mid-30s or older, have not used birth control for 6 months, and have not been able to become pregnant.
- You are in your 20s or early 30s, have not used birth control for a year or more, and have not been able to become pregnant.
Infertility treatments
If you and your partner have been trying to get pregnant and haven’t been able to, you may wish to seek treatment. The type of treatment that’s recommended can depend on a variety of factors, including:
- the cause of infertility, if known
- how long you’ve been trying to conceive
- your ages
- the overall health of both you and your partner
- the personal preferences of you and your partner, following consultation about your treatment options
Vitamins For Infertility Treatment
Various vitamins and minerals can be beneficial in promoting fertility.
Some to look out for include:
- folate
- zinc
- vitamin C
- vitamin E
- iron
Why You Need Teleconsultation For Infertility?
Teleconsultation for infertility treatment allows providers and patients to interact virtually.
This type of visit can be used for many types of visits such as medication refills, lab reviews, sick visits, mental health visits, counseling, and general wellness checks. Now with mobile devices, the doctor or the patient can be anywhere with access to the internet.