By: Annie Morgan
Many married couples struggle to get pregnant but can’t seem to figure out why.
Despite their best efforts – nothing seems to work and discouragement begins to set in.
In fact, the Mayo Clinic reports up to 15 percent of couples in the United States are infertile, with 1/3 of the cases being an issue with the male and 1/3 being an issue with the female.
If you’re wondering what the most common causes of infertility are and what solutions are available – the good news is many people find success with proper diagnosis and treatment.
Main Causes In Women
A common cause of infertility in women has to do with hormones.
Things like having an elevated prolactin level (the hormone that produces breastmilk) can cause a woman’s cycle to become irregular – meaning she may have a difficult time conceiving.
And ladies – if your period isn’t coming every month – it’s irregular.
Not being able to know when your cycle starts can make it difficult to track ovulation.
And when hormone levels are off – the ovaries don’t release the egg like they should.
Another main cause of infertility has to do with the thyroid levels. If they are abnormal – either too high or too low – this can alter your cycle as well.
But infertility can be caused by more than just hormones.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome which causes cysts on a woman’s ovaries can make periods irregular and interfere with proper ovulation.
The same thing goes for problems in the cervix or uterus such as women who have uterine fibroids or endometriosis.
Main Causes In Men
According to the Mayo Clinic, male infertility can be caused by abnormal sperm production or function.
Things like diabetes or other genetic defects can cause men to have a low sperm count.
Other men struggle with structural problems which can lead to infertility.
In fact, according to Web MD, the most common cause of infertility in men is varicocele, which is an abnormal collection of bulging veins above the testicle.
Treatment
Ladies who struggle with infertility should have their hormone levels tested as well as a full pelvic exam.
Often times medication is prescribed to regulate hormone levels and create ovulation.
If hormone levels come back normal, further tests like ultrasounds may need to be done to ensure there are no fibroids or cysts.
For men who suffer with varicocele — many have found relief from surgery.
Other men who have hormonal issues can also be treated with medication.
And health experts say lifestyle choices matter for both males and females! Heavy alcohol and drug use can cause infertility, as can exposure to toxic and hazardous chemicals.
If you’re struggling to get pregnant – don’t give up just yet!
Make an appointment with your doctor and see if they can help identify the cause – so you can get one step closer to a workable solution.
Have you ever struggled with infertility?
Were you surprised to learn how many people in the United States struggle with trying to conceive a baby?
Tell us your thoughts in the comments below and be sure to share this article with your friends and family to let them know the common causes of infertility.
