Although infertility tends to be associated with women, men are also affected by this. Did you know that 30%-50% of couples experience fertility on the male’s part? This doesn’t mean they’re at fault, though; it simply means that men are more affected than many seem to think. In this article, our North Houston fertility specialists in The Woodlands and Kingwood will discuss potential causes of infertility and some effective treatments that may help mitigate your infertility challenges so you can achieve a healthy pregnancy.
Causes of Infertility in Men
Male infertility usually comes down to four issues with the sperm and/or semen:
- Low Sperm Count
- Often, we see men who have a low sperm count, which is defined as less than 15 million
- Poor Sperm Mobility
- This cause of infertility occurs when the sperm have a hard time getting to the egg
- Abnormal Sperm Shape
- Sperm that is shaped abnormally has a hard time reaching the egg with accuracy and effectiveness
- Abnormal Semen
- Semen is the fluid that helps transport the sperm to the egg. If it’s considered abnormal, then this would also result in the sperm struggling to reach the egg.
You may wonder what actually causes these issues to occur in the first place. There are a few root causes, including:
- Certain medical conditions
- Hormonal imbalance
- Certain disorders
- Genetic factors.
Other factors could be radiation therapy, anemia, diabetes, alcoholism, and mental stress.
Causes of Infertility in Women
Infertility in women is often caused by issues with ovulation, fallopian tubes, the uterus, or the cervix. If the uterus or fallopian tube are damaged in some way, then the egg will have a hard time traveling from the ovary to the uterus.
What can cause these problems in the first place? Similar to male infertility, there are plenty of possible root causes, including:
- Premature ovarian failure
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), which typically causes ovulation to not occur at all.
- Chemo and radiation therapy
- Anemia
- Thyroid problems
- Eating disorders
- Mental illness
- Endometriosis, a condition in which the cells that line the uterus grow elsewhere.
Infertility Treatments At Our IVF Clinic In The Woodlands And Kingwood
The many different causes of infertility may seem worrisome, but the good news is that there is a plethora of effective treatments and alternatives for men and women. At HART Fertility in The Woodlands and Kingwood, we offer several options that may be done in tandem with IVF, such as egg and embryo freezing, donor sperm and donor eggs, ovulation induction, and more! If you have been struggling to get pregnant for at least a year, then please request an appointment with our IVF doctors so you can undergo fertility testing and we can determine which treatment(s) is best for you!
