Reasons why conception

By the time a woman is 40 years old her fertility is a quarter of when she was The miscarriage rate increases with age from about one in seven for women aged less than 25 years to about one in two at 40 years of age. Genetic factors also have a significant role, and examples include Turner Syndrome where a woman is missing an X chromosome and translocations where genetic material is exchanged between chromosomes. Male Male infertility may be due to inadequate numbers of sperm being produced by the testicles, obstruction of the vas deferens preventing sperm from entering the ejaculate or poorly functioning sperm reducing the ability to fertilise an egg oocyte.

How is infertility defined? The most common problems include: Fallopian tube obstruction Blocked or scarred fallopian tubes that prevent sperm from reaching the egg are a frequent cause of infertility, especially among African Americans.

Irregular uterine shape An irregularly shaped uterus can make it difficult for a fertilized egg to attach to the uterine wall. Do I Need Infertility Treatment? This multipart assessment includes: Physical examination Pelvic ultrasound Blood work Semen analysis Evaluation of the uterus and fallopian tubes by specialized x-rays or ultrasounds If you or your partner have a known medical condition that affects the uterus, fallopian tubes, sperm or ovulation, talk to your doctor to see if you should be evaluated sooner.

The Johns Hopkins Fertility Center Our fertility specialists will work with you to identify the unique causes of your infertility and help you realize your dream of parenthood. Learn more about the fertility center. Infertility treatment options Depending on the results of your infertility evaluation, there are several treatment options: Ovulation medications : Oral or injectable medications improve ovulation patterns or may encourage more than one egg to be released each month, increasing the likelihood of conceiving.

Intrauterine insemination IUI : This procedure can be performed on its own or in combination with ovulation medications. In vitro fertilization IVF : During this procedure, one or more eggs is removed from the ovaries and fertilized with sperm in a lab setting. The resulting embryo is then implanted into the uterus, bypassing fertilization challenges within the body.

Sign Up for Our Free Newsletter One of the best things you can do to protect and improve your health is to stay informed. Sign Up. Some women become pregnant quickly, while others take longer. This may be upsetting, but it's normal. Most couples about 84 out of every will get pregnant within a year if they have regular sex and don't use contraception.

But women become less fertile as they get older. One study found that among couples having regular unprotected sex:. Some of these factors affect either women or men. The most common cause is ovulation failure which can be caused by lots of different things and sperm disorders.

Read more detailed information about the causes of infertility.