Cause

Fertility problems have many causes that involve either the woman's, the man's, or both partners' reproductive systems. Some causes include:

• Problems with the man's reproductive system.
• Problems with the woman's fallopian tubes.
• Problems with the woman's uterus and/or cervix.
• Problems with ovulation.

Rates of infertility and miscarriage increase with age. A woman's fertility peaks in her late 20s. It gradually begins to decline in her early 30s. A more pronounced drop in fertility and increase in miscarriage risk begins around her mid-30s. This is primarily due to the aging egg supply. Male fertility also decreases with age. But it is a more gradual decline than in women.

Symptoms

Fertility problems don't cause physical symptoms.

What Happens

Most healthy young couples trying to have a child are successful after 1 year of trying. But about 10 to 15 out of every 100 couples have trouble getting pregnant.¹

Just because you haven't been able to get pregnant after 1 year doesn't mean you can't get pregnant. Many couples later go on to get pregnant, even without treatment.

But your doctor may suggest testing and treatment if you haven't been able to get pregnant after 1 year of having sex 2 or 3 times a week without using birth control. For women over 35, some doctors will offer testing and treatment after 6 months of trying to become pregnant.

If a clear cause can be found and if there is a promising treatment for that cause, pregnancy is more likely. When a cause can't be found and fertility tests are normal, treatment is less likely to work.

A couple's chances of getting pregnant are greatest within their first 3 years of trying. After 3 years of sex without birth control, pregnancy is considered unlikely without treatment.¹

Some couples who have tried treatment without success become pregnant later without more treatment.

Personal concerns

Before deciding to move forward with testing and treatment, be sure to think about these issues:

• Emotional and social impact
• Ethical and legal issues
• Considering adoption
• Setting limits on testing
• Setting limits on treatment