Causes of Infertility

Human reproduction is complex, so multiple causes of infertility can cause issues for both women and men. Thankfully, our Dallas-Fort Worth fertility doctors have a deep understanding of a wide variety of infertility factors. Our experienced specialists know how to accurately diagnose and effectively treat the complex causes of male and female fertility issues.

About Our Doctors

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.

Request Appointment

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.