Causes of Infertility

Infertility Factors Can Interfere with the Formula to Have a Successful Pregnancy

Although each person is unique, everyone needs the same four steps to occur in order to achieve pregnancy.

• A woman must ovulate, or release, a healthy egg from her ovary.
• A man must release viable sperm that can successfully fertilize the egg.
• The egg must travel through the fallopian tube to the uterus.
• The fertilized egg must attach to, or implant in, the uterine lining.

Problems during any of these four steps can become infertility factors, which can make it more difficult to conceive and welcome a healthy baby.

Knowledge is Power. Exploring Male and Female Causes of Infertility

Many people tend to think of infertility as a condition that only affects women. However, both men and women can experience fertility issues.

A low or absent sperm count (azoospermia) is one of the most common male infertility factors. However, problems with sperm morphology (shape) or motility (movement) can also lead to fertility issues. A man may have a low sperm count or produce abnormal sperm for a number of reasons.

• Undescended testicles
• Genetic defects
• Medical conditions like diabetes
• Previous infections or trauma to the genitals due to surgery or injury
• Varicoceles, or enlarged veins in the testes
• Exposure to chemicals or excessive heat
• Lifestyle choices, like alcohol, tobacco, drug or steroid use
• Cancer treatment

A man might also have fertility issues due to premature ejaculation or retrograde ejaculation (when the semen enters the bladder rather than exiting through the penis).

As for women, our Dallas-Fort Worth fertility doctors find that the female causes of infertility fall into several categories.

• Hormonal issues affecting ovulation, including thyroid problems and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
• Structural problems, such as blocked or damaged fallopian tubes, uterine polyps or fibroids, endometriosis, or an abnormally shaped uterus
• Diminished ovarian reserve, or egg supply, due to age or premature menopause
• Cancer treatment
• Certain medical conditions like sickle cell disease or celiac disease
• Lifestyle choices, including excessive exercise or the use of tobacco, alcohol or drugs

Some women may also visit our doctors after undergoing tubal ligation, a form of permanent birth control, and deciding they want to have another child.

Find Hope When Pursuing Treatment at Our Fertility Clinic

Our Dallas-Fort Worth fertility doctors believe that reaching an accurate diagnosis is the first step to overcoming the causes of infertility. Once our team understands the infertility factors that are at play, they will develop a customized fertility treatment plan to help make pregnancy possible.

Contact us to schedule an appointment and learn how Fertility Specialists of Texas can help you move forward with your family-building plans.

Meet Our Fertility Specialists

All of our doctors are double board-certified in North Texas.

Jerald Goldstein, M.D.

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Rebecca Chilvers, M.D.

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Satin Patel, M.D.

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Daniel Skora, M.D.

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Janelle Dorsett, M.D.

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Ali Guerami, M.D.

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Carlos Guerrero, Ph.D., HCLD, ELD, CC, Scientific Director

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Meet Our Advanced Practice Providers

Amber Street, DNP, APRN, FNP-C

Amber Street is a dedicated Nurse Practitioner with over 20 years of experience. She specializes in women’s healthcare, hormone replacement therapy, and acute care. She holds a Doctor of Nursing and Family Nurse Practitioner degree from Texas Christian University. Amber’s personal experience as an egg donor brings a unique perspective to her work, helping patients navigate their fertility journeys with empathy and expertise.

Katie Houghton, PA

Katie Houghton is a Physician Assistant serving patients in our Dallas and Southlake clinics. She earned her B.S. in Neuroscience from Brigham Young University and her Master of Physician Assistant Studies from Utah Valley University. Katie has interned at prestigious institutions like Stanford Hospital and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Her interests include egg freezing, fertility preservation, and male factor infertility, making her a versatile and dedicated member of our team.

Monica Espinosa, FNP

Monica Espinosa, based in our Lubbock clinic, brings her personal experience with fertility challenges to her role as a Family Nurse Practitioner. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing from Lubbock Christian University, focusing her research on improving success rates for patients with PCOS. Monica’s passion for women’s health and her empathetic approach make her an invaluable resource for patients.

Jessica Alvarado, MSN, APRN, FNP

Jessica Alvarado’s diverse nursing background includes critical care and trauma. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing from Lubbock Christian University and now provides expert fertility care at our Lubbock clinic. Jessica’s commitment to hard work and patient-focused care ensures that each patient receives personalized and compassionate support on their fertility journey.

Michelle Adams, WHNP

Based in our Plano clinic, Michelle Adams is a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner with 23 years of experience in prenatal care, gynecology, and nutritional management. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Texas at Tyler. She completed her Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner Certification at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School. Michelle’s expertise and compassionate care ensure that women in North Texas receive the best possible treatment.

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