For both men and women, there are a variety of factors that can contribute to decreasing fertility. Some of the leading causes for men include lifestyle choices such as smoking, drinking alcohol, or recreational drug use; certain medical conditions such as diabetes and obesity; environmental toxins; and age-related issues. Women can also be impacted by these same factors, with additional considerations such as hormonal changes due to perimenopause and endometriosis.
If you believe your fertility may be at risk due to any of these potential causes, it is important to talk to your doctor about getting a fertility test. A fertility test can help determine if there are any underlying issues that could be causing difficulty conceiving a child. Your doctor may recommend medication, lifestyle changes, or other forms of treatment depending on the results of your fertility test. In this article, we will list the leading causes of infertility for women.
What are the main causes of women’s infertility?
1. Hormonal Changes
Hormonal changes due to perimenopause and endometriosis can contribute to a woman’s decreased fertility. These hormonal fluctuations cause the ovaries to produce fewer eggs, which reduces fertility.
Perimenopause is a natural stage of the aging process in women and typically begins several years before menopause. During this time, the body starts to produce lower levels of estrogen and progesterone, which can cause irregular menstrual cycles, mood swings, hot flashes, night sweats, and other physical symptoms. Perimenopause can also contribute to decreased fertility because it can cause problems with ovulation, making it difficult for a woman to get pregnant.
Endometriosis is a condition that occurs when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus (endometrium) starts to grow outside of the uterus. This tissue can then attach itself to other organs like the bladder or intestines and cause pain during intercourse and intense periods that last longer than usual. Endometriosis causes inflammation in the reproductive organs and can decrease fertility by blocking fallopian tubes or preventing an egg from being released during ovulation. It can also create cysts on the ovaries or interfere with hormone production which further impedes fertility.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to talk with your doctor about getting tested for perimenopause and endometriosis in order to accurately diagnose any potential issues that may be causing your difficulty conceiving a child. Your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes such as exercising regularly and eating a balanced diet; medications such as hormone therapy or birth control pills; or alternative treatments such as acupuncture or yoga. In addition, there are a variety of fertility tests available that can help assess your fertility level and determine if any underlying issues need to be addressed in order for you to have success in achieving pregnancy.
2. Age-Related Issues
Women over 35 are more likely to experience difficulty conceiving or carrying a pregnancy to term.
Women over the age of 35 may experience difficulty conceiving or carrying a pregnancy to term due to several factors associated with aging. The quality and quantity of a woman’s eggs decline gradually over time, especially after the age of 35. As a result, there is an increased risk of miscarriage and chromosomal abnormalities such as Down syndrome in pregnancies obtained after the age of 35.
Additionally, fertility decreases with age due to other physiological changes such as decreased ovarian reserve or irregular ovulation cycles. Ovarian reserve is a measure of egg quality and quantity and decreases with age, leading to reduced fertility and an increased risk of infertility. Irregular ovulation cycles can occur due to hormonal fluctuations which can also lead to decreased fertility in women over the age of 35.
In addition to these physiological changes, lifestyle habits and environmental influences can contribute to reduced fertility in women over the age of 35. Age-related stressors such as career commitments or financial concerns can add additional strain on a woman’s body which can impair fertility. Furthermore, environmental toxins like pesticides or pollutants that accumulate over time may contribute to reduced fertility in older women by decreasing egg quality or causing inflammation within reproductive organs.
If you are aged 35 or older and having difficulty conceiving, it is important to speak to your doctor about possible causes for your decreased fertility. Your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes such as reducing stress levels; medications such as hormone therapy or birth control pills; or alternative treatments including acupuncture or yoga. It is also important to get tested for any underlying conditions like endometriosis that could be contributing to your difficulty conceiving a child. A variety of fertility tests are available that can help assess your fertility level and determine if any underlying issues need addressing in order for you to have success achieving pregnancy at an older age.
3. Lifestyle Choices
Smoking, drinking alcohol, or using recreational drugs can decrease fertility in women by disrupting hormone production and damaging the reproductive system.
Smoking in particular has been linked to reduced fertility in women by disrupting hormone production and damaging the reproductive system. Studies have found that smoking may interfere with ovulation and reduce the amount of progesterone produced by the ovaries which affects fertility. Furthermore, smoking can damage eggs and sperm due to the toxins present in cigarettes which can reduce fertility.
Alcohol consumption has also been linked to reduced fertility in women. Research suggests that drinking alcohol can interfere with ovulation as well as cause damage to a woman’s reproductive system resulting in decreased fertility. Heavy drinking and binge drinking in particular have been linked to reduced fertility, as well as an increased risk of miscarriages.
The use of recreational drugs can also reduce fertility in women. The chemicals found in recreational drugs such as marijuana and cocaine can impair hormone production and disrupt ovulation cycles. Furthermore, recreational drug use has been linked to an increase in chromosomal abnormalities and miscarriages in pregnancies, making it more difficult to conceive a child.
4. Environmental Toxins
Exposure to certain toxins in the environment such as pesticides or heavy metals can reduce fertility in both men and women.
Pesticides are a dangerous group of chemicals that have been linked to decreased fertility in women. Exposure to large amounts of pesticides can interfere with the body’s hormones, causing disruption of the normal hormonal balance and in turn damaging the reproductive system. Studies have found that exposure to certain pesticides can lead to ovulatory dysfunction, which reduces the chances of conception.
Heavy metals such as lead and mercury can also cause fertility issues in both men and women. Exposure to these heavy metals can interfere with hormone production and damage the reproductive system, reducing fertility in both sexes. Furthermore, exposure to high levels of lead has been linked to birth defects and miscarriages.
Conclusion
Reduced fertility in women can have many causes, including lifestyle choices, underlying health conditions, and environmental toxins. It is important to speak to your doctor if you are having difficulty conceiving a child. Your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes, medications or alternative treatments depending on the cause of your reduced fertility. Furthermore, it is important to limit your exposure to environmental toxins such as pesticides and heavy metals in order to reduce the risk of fertility problems. Taking these measures can help increase your chances of achieving a successful pregnancy at an older age.