Learn the Causes of Infertility: Prevention, Medical Issues & Treatment
- EMC Cradle Hospital
- June 27, 2025
Before we dive deep into the causes of infertility and trends, it’s important to understand the key difference between fertility and infertility.
Fertility is the natural capability of an individual or couple to conceive a child without medical assistance. It involves the proper functioning of reproductive organs, balanced hormones, and healthy sperm and egg interaction. In short, fertility is a sign that the body is biologically prepared to support reproduction.
Infertility, on the other hand, refers to the inability to conceive despite having regular, unprotected sex for at least one year. For women over the age of 35, this timeframe is reduced to six months. Infertility can be primary (when a couple has never conceived) or secondary (when conception fails after a previous successful pregnancy). Unlike fertility, infertility indicates a disruption somewhere in the reproductive process — whether due to lifestyle, medical, or environmental reasons — and often requires medical evaluation and treatment.
⚠️ Common Causes of Infertility
1. Male Factors:
Male infertility can be caused by several underlying issues. A low sperm count, poor motility (the sperm’s ability to swim), and abnormal morphology (shape and structure) can all hinder a sperm’s ability to reach and fertilize an egg. Some men may have blockages in the vas deferens or ejaculatory ducts, preventing sperm from being released. Lifestyle choices play a significant role too — smoking, excessive alcohol use, drug abuse, and exposure to environmental toxins can drastically reduce sperm quality. Medical conditions like varicocele (enlarged veins in the scrotum), hormonal imbalances, infections, and genetic conditions also contribute to male infertility.
2. Female Factors:
Female infertility is often rooted in ovulation problems. One of the most common causes is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), a hormonal disorder that disrupts the menstrual cycle and ovulation. Endometriosis, a painful condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside it, can damage reproductive organs and block the fallopian tubes. Other causes of infertility include fibroids, which interfere with embryo implantation, and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which can cause scarring and blockage of the tubes. Thyroid dysfunction, early menopause (premature ovarian failure), and autoimmune conditions can also impact fertility significantly.
💼 Lifestyle Changes and Their Impact
Today’s fast-paced lifestyle is a silent contributor to rising infertility rates. Sedentary behavior, long working hours, and digital screen addiction reduce physical activity and disrupt hormonal balance. Poor dietary choices — particularly processed foods high in sugar and trans fats — contribute to obesity, a known risk factor for infertility in both men and women. On the flip side, excessive dieting or intense exercise can lead to hormonal imbalances and amenorrhea (absence of menstruation). Addictions such as smoking, heavy drinking, and drug use further impair reproductive functions by lowering sperm quality in men and causing ovulatory disorders in women.
Stress and Mental Health
Chronic stress is more than just an emotional burden — it can biologically suppress reproductive hormones like estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. This affects menstrual regularity in women and sperm health in men. The stress of “trying to conceive” can also spiral into anxiety and depression, making matters worse.
Substance Abuse
Smoking, alcohol, and recreational drug use have a direct negative effect on sperm and egg quality. This one is also major causes of infertility. These substances create oxidative stress, which can damage reproductive cells and reduce the chance of natural conception.
Sedentary Living & Poor Diet
Modern lifestyles are not kind to reproductive health. Lack of physical activity, desk-bound jobs, and high screen time can disturb hormonal rhythms. Diets rich in junk food, sugar, and trans fats contribute to obesity — a known risk factor for infertility in both sexes. Excessive dieting or over-exercising can also disrupt ovulation in women and reduce testosterone in men.
Age-Related Fertility Decline
Age is a natural but significant cause of infertility. A woman’s fertility starts to decline after age 30 and drops sharply after 35 due to the depletion of healthy eggs. By age 40, chances of natural conception are under 5% per cycle. Men also experience declining sperm motility and DNA quality with age, increasing the risk of miscarriages or developmental disorders in children. Delaying parenthood without understanding these biological limits often leads to unexpected fertility struggles later.
Medical Conditions That Affect Fertility
Several health conditions can disrupt the reproductive system:
PCOS: A hormonal imbalance that interferes with ovulation.
Endometriosis: Causes inflammation, scar tissue, and blocked fallopian tubes.
Thyroid Disorders: Overactive or underactive thyroid impacts ovulation and metabolism.
Diabetes: Can cause erectile dysfunction and hormone imbalance.
STIs: Infections like chlamydia and gonorrhea can cause Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), leading to permanent damage if untreated.
Autoimmune Diseases: Sometimes the body attacks its own reproductive tissues, leading to inflammation and fertility issues.
How to Prevent Infertility: Lifestyle Tips
While not all causes of infertility are preventable, many can be reduced through conscious lifestyle choices:
Eat a balanced diet rich in antioxidants, healthy fats, lean proteins, and whole grains.
Exercise regularly but moderately — aim for 30 minutes of physical activity 5 days a week.
Avoid smoking, excessive alcohol, and drugs.
Reduce stress through yoga, meditation, or hobbies that relax the mind.
Limit exposure to plastics, pesticides, and synthetic beauty products.
Get regular checkups to monitor hormonal health and catch reproductive issues early.
🩺 Ready to Take the Next Step?
If you or your partner are facing challenges conceiving, Schedule a consultation with our experienced fertility specialist today to explore your options, receive a thorough evaluation, and take the next step toward parenthood with confidence.
FAQs About Prevention & Causes of Infertility
The most common causes of infertility include ovulation disorders like Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, blocked fallopian tubes due to infections or surgery, uterine fibroids, and hormonal imbalances. Age-related decline and certain medical conditions such as thyroid dysfunction and premature ovarian failure also play a significant role.
Treatments include ovulation-stimulating medications (like Clomiphene), intrauterine insemination (IUI), in vitro fertilization (IVF), and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). For those looking to delay pregnancy, egg and sperm freezing are viable options.
Male infertility is often caused by low sperm count, poor sperm motility, abnormal sperm shape, or blockages in the reproductive tract. Other contributing factors include varicocele, hormonal issues, infections, genetic conditions, and lifestyle choices like smoking, alcohol use, and exposure to environmental toxins.
In women, fertility begins to decline after age 30 and drops significantly after 35 due to reduced egg quantity and quality. In men, sperm quality, motility, and DNA integrity start to decline after age 40, which can reduce fertility and increase risks of genetic issues in offspring.
Yes, chronic stress can disrupt the balance of reproductive hormones like estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone, affecting ovulation and sperm production. Mental health conditions like anxiety and depression can also compound these effects, potentially making conception more difficult.
Absolutely not. Male factors contribute to around 40% of infertility cases. In about 20% of cases, infertility involves both partners or remains unexplained. It’s essential for both partners to undergo evaluation and treatment together.