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About Infertility
If you are having problems conceiving, you are not alone; around one in seven couples have this difficulty.
Infertility is often thought of as a female concern, but in fact in a third of cases it is because of male problems, such as a low sperm count.
What causes infertility?
Infertility in women
Conditions affecting a woman’s fertility can include:
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damage to the fallopian tubes
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ovulatory problems
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endometriosis
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conditions affecting the uterus
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a combination of factors
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no identifiable reason.
Other factors that may play a part include:
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age – female fertility declines sharply after the age of 35
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Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
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gynaecological problems such as previous ectopic pregnancy or having had more than one miscarriage
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medical conditions such as diabetes, epilepsy, and thyroid and bowel diseases
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lifestyle factors such as stress, being overweight or underweight, and smoking.
Infertility in men
Conditions that may result in infertility include:
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low sperm count or quality
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problems with the tubes carrying sperm
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problems getting an erection
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problems ejaculating.
Other factors that may play a part in infertility include:
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having had inflamed testes (orchitis)
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a past bacterial infection that caused scarring and blocked tubes
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having received medical treatment such as drug treatment, radiotherapy or surgery – for example to correct a hernia, undescended testes or twisted testicles
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genetic problems
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diabetes
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lifestyle factors such as being overweight or having a job that involves contact with chemicals or radiation.
Male fertility is also thought to decline with age, although to what extent is unclear.