Common Causes for Infertility

At Utah Fertility Center, we understand that infertility can be one of the most devastating experiences in a person’s life. The thought of losing one’s ability to have a baby can bring hopelessness and despair to the strongest of people. Fortunately, virtually all forms of infertility can be overcome. By learning the causes, our Reproductive Endocrinologists can pinpoint the barrier and customize the treatment to achieve a successful pregnancy.

Female Factors
Accounting for about 40% of infertility, the main causes affecting a woman can be remembered best by her anatomy:

  • Egg factors,such as disorders of ovulation and barriers related to age or the “biological clock.”
  • Pelvic factors,such as endometriosis
  • Tubal factors, such as blocked or obstructed fallopian tubes and damaged tubes, like hydrosalpinges.
  • Uterine factors,like fibroids, polyps, scarring or uterine malformations.
  • Cervical factorsthat limit the passage of sperm.
  • Vaginal factors,like bacterial or recurrent yeast infections.

The most common cause of infertility in women is polycystic ovarian syndrome, and yet it is one of the most treatable. In fact, for every cause of infertility, there is a very effective treatment designed to overcome it.

Male Factors
Another 40% of cases of infertility can be attributed to male factors. The barriers that limit a man’s ability to procreate usually involve factors that affect his sperm count. These are discussed under “male infertility.” Click here for more information on Male Factor Infertility.

Unexplained Infertility
These cases account for 20% of infertility, and they are defined as the inability to identify the cause by our standard diagnostic tests, such as a semen analysis, hysterosalpingogram (HSG), and hormone testing. There is still a reason, just not as obvious. An example is when all the tests are normal including the HSG, but the tubes do not function properly. Endometriosis is a common underlying reason for tubal dysfunction. Unexplained infertility can be frustrating because there is no direct reason, but there is a proper algorithm or treatment plan that will overcome the issue or find the reason over time.

Recurrent pregnancy loss or miscarriages can be a heartbreaking and a frustrating cause of infertility. Fortunately, there is a diagnostic and treatment plan that effectively addresses the reasons that lead to miscarriages. It is critically important to see a knowledgeable physician skilled at treating these losses in order to find success. Some of the greatest advances recently in our field deal with overcoming genetic causes for repeated miscarriages.

If you would like more information on common causes of infertility, or if you would like to schedule an appointment with one of our infertility specialists in St. George, Pleasant Grove, Ogden, Park City and Murray, Utah, please give us a call at 801-785-5100. We look forward to helping you on your journey to parenthood!