Female infertility can be caused by a variety of factors that affect or interfere with the following biological processes:
- ovulation, when the mature egg is released from the ovary
- fertilization, which occurs when sperm meets the egg in the fallopian tube after traveling through the cervix and uterus
- implantation, which occurs when a fertilized egg attaches to the lining of the uterus where it can then grow and develop into a baby
Risk factors
Risk factors for female infertility include:
- increasing age
- smoking cigarettes
- heavy use of alcohol
- being overweight, obese, or significantly underweight
- having certain sexually transmitted infections (STIs) that can damage the reproductive system
Medical conditions
A variety of medical conditions can affect the female reproductive system and cause infertility in women.
Examples include:
- ovulation disorders, which can be caused by polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or hormonal imbalances
- pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
- endometriosis
- uterine fibroids
- premature ovarian failure
- scarring from a previous surgery
Medications and drugs
Certain medications and drugs that can affect female infertility include:
- chemotherapy or radiation therapy
- long-term use of high-dosage nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) such as aspirin (Bayer) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
- antipsychotic medications
- recreational drugs such as marijuana and cocaine
The bottom line
According to the Mayo Clinic, ovulation problems cause around one-quarter of the infertility issues seen in couples. An irregular or absent period are two signs that a woman may not be ovulating.
Source: Healthline
