What is infertility? Infertility is a condition of your reproductive system that causes people to be unable to get pregnant (conceive). Infertility can affect anyone and has many causes. Getting pregnant involves several steps: Your brain must produce reproductive hormones that control ovarian function. An egg must mature in your ovary. Your ovary must release an egg (ovulation). Your fallopian tube must pick up the egg. Sperm must travel up your vagina and through the uterus to your fallopian tube. The sperm fertilizes the egg to create an embryo. The embryo travels through your fallopian tube to the uterus where it implants. A pregnancy can’t occur if anything in this process doesn’t happen. If you’re younger than 35, your healthcare provider may diagnose infertility after one year (12 months) of trying to conceive. Trying to conceive is defined as having regular, unprotected sex. If you’re 35 or older, your provider may diagnose infertility after six months of regular, unprotected sex. Infertility is more common than you might think. Fortunately, there are many treatment options available for people who wish to begin or expand their family. What are the types of infertility? Types of infertility include: Primary infertility: You’ve never been pregnant and can’t conceive after one year (or six months if you’re 35 or older) of regular, unprotected sexual intercourse. Secondary infertility: You can’t get pregnant again after having at least one successful pregnancy. Unexplained infertility: Fertility testing hasn’t found a reason that a person or couple is unable to get pregnant. How common is infertility? Infertility affects men and people assigned male at birth (AMAB) and women and people assigned female (AFAB) at birth equally. Infertility is very common. Symptoms and Causes What are signs of infertility? The main sign of infertility is being unable to get pregnant after six months or one year of regular, unprotected sex. You may not have any other symptoms. But some people may show physical symptoms such as: Pelvic or abdominal pain. Irregular vaginal bleeding, irregular periods or no periods. Penile disorders or issues with ejaculation. What causes infertility? There are many causes of infertility, and sometimes, there isn’t a simple answer as to why you’re not getting pregnant. Only a healthcare provider can determine the cause and find the best treatment for you. While causes of infertility vary, studies show that: 33% of infertility involves the partner with a uterus and ovaries. 33% of infertility involves the partner with a penis and testicles. 33% of infertility involves both partners or is unexplained. Twenty-five percent of infertile couples have more than one factor that contributes to their infertility. Infertility causes Some causes of infertility affect just one partner, while others affect both partners. Risk factors for infertility include: Age, particularly being in your late 30s or 40s. For men, age begins affecting fertility closer to 50. Eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa and bulimia. Excessive alcohol consumption. Exposure to environmental toxins, such as chemicals, lead and pesticides. Over-exercising. Radiation therapy or chemotherapy. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Smoking and using tobacco products. (This behavior plays a role in about 13% to 15% of infertility cases.) Substance abuse. Having obesity or being underweight. Abnormalities of the hormone-producing centers of your brain (hypothalamus or pituitary). Chronic conditions and diseases. Infertility causes for women and people assigned female at birth Ovulation disorders are the most common cause of infertility in people with ovaries. Ovulation is the process in which your ovary releases an egg to meet sperm for fertilization. These factors can contribute to female infertility: Endometriosis. Structural abnormalities of your vagina, uterus or fallopian tubes. Autoimmune conditions like celiac disease or lupus. Kidney disease. Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Hypothalamic and pituitary gland disorders. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Primary ovarian insufficiency or poor egg quality. Sickle cell anemia. Uterine fibroids or uterine polyps. Thyroid disease. Prior surgical sterilization (tubal ligation or salpingectomy). Genetic or chromosomal disorders. Sexual dysfunction. Surgical or congenital absence of your ovaries. Infrequent or absent menstrual periods. Best Fertility Centre , Advanced Fertility Care Center, Maternal and Child Health Care Centre , Immunization Centre , Ashwini Hospital Moondrumavadi K.Pudur Madurai -07 , Tamilnadu