What causes infertility?

,Marchand S,Tallec A,Ferial ML,Ducot B,Lansac J,Lopes P,Tabaste JM,Spira A.

INSERM (Institut National de la Sante et de la Recherche Medicale), Unite de Sante publique-Epidemiologie-Reproduction humaine, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Bicetre France. To estimate the prevalence and main causes of infertility, a multicentre survey was conducted over 1 year (July 1988-June 1989) in three regions of France. All the 1686 couples in these regions, who consulted a practitioner for primary or secondary infertility during this period, were included in the investigation. The prevalence rate of infertility was found to be 14.1%, indicating that one woman out of seven in France will consult a doctor for an infertility problem during her reproductive life. The main causes of female infertility were ovulation disorders (32%) and tubal damage (26%), and of male infertility oligo-terato-asthenozoospermia (21%), asthenozoospermia (17%), teratozoospermia (10%) and azoospermia (9%). Infertility was also found to be caused by disorders in both the male and female partners together; thus in 39% of cases both the man and woman presented with disorders. The woman alone was responsible for infertility in one-third of cases and the man alone in one-fifth. Unexplained infertility was found in 8% of the couples surveyed.

Please click on the required question.

• Q 9. 1 What is infertility?
• Q 9. 2 How prevalent are infertility problems?
• Q 9. 3 What are the main causes of infertility?
• Q 9. 4 What are the objectives of our infertility investigations?
• Q 9. 5 Have there been any noticeable changes in fertility requirements in recent years?
• Q 9. 6  What is the effect of our age on fertility?
• Q 9. 7 I smoke cigarettes. Can this have an effect on my fertility?
• Q 9. 8 Does my weight influence fertility?
• 8A Obesity! How can I lose weight?
• Q 9. 9 I have fibroids. Could these reduce my fertility?
• Q 9. 10 I have been told that my womb has an abnormal shape and that was the way that I was born. Could this reduce my fertility?
• Q 9. 11 I have endometriosis. Could this reduce my fertility?
• Q 9. 12 I have been told that I have cervicitis or a cervical ectopy (erosion). Could this impair my fertility?
• Q 9. 13 My doctor tells me that my womb is retroverted (tilts backwards). Could this reduce my fertility?
• Q 9. 14 I have had an ectopic pregnancy. Does this affect my future fertility?
• Q 9. 15  We are worried that we may have a fertility problem. What should we do?
• Q 9. 16 How will our doctor be able to identify the cause of our infertility?
• Q 9. 17 How can we tell if I am releasing my eggs (ovulating)?
• Q 9. 18 Investigations have shown that I have a problem releasing my eggs (anovulation). What could be the cause of this?
• Q 9. 19 How important are my Fallopian tubes in fertility?
• Q 9. 20 How can we tell if my Fallopian tubes are functioning?
• Q 9. 21 How can we assess male fertility?
• Q 9. 22  What is the purpose of a post-coital test (PCT)?
• Q 9. 23 We have had our infertility investigations and our problem remains unexplained. How can this be?
• Q 9. 24 What are our chances of achieving a pregnancy?
• Q 9. 25 Where can I obtain more information?
• Q 9. 26 Support Groups.
  




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This is the personal website of David A Viniker MD FRCOG, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at Whipps Cross University Hospital, London - Specialist Interests - Reproductive Medicine including Infertility, PCOS, PMS, Menopause and HRT.

I do hope that you find the answers to your women's health questions in the patient information and medical advice provided.