Infertility can be a frustrating and heart-rending problem. When you can’t concieve, you see sweet, cooing babies everywhere. Each month you hope and pray you will become pregnant. When your menstrual cycle is late, you rush in anticipation to buy a home pregnancy test. After taking the test, you anxiously hold your breath, waiting for the strip to turn the right color. Once more your hopes are dashed; you’re not pregnant. You feel like a failure.

Infertility can be classified into two categories: primary and secondary. Primary infertility is the inability to conceive after twelve months of frequent, unprotected sex. Unlike primary infertility, with secondary infertility, the couple has conceived in the past but are unable to conceive again.

In the United States, 20% of couples struggle with infertility at any one time. Even healthy couples under the age of 30 only have a 25 to 30% chance of conceiving each month. Unfortunately, infertility appears to be increasing too. Postponing marriage and childbirth until a later age may be responsible for this trend. Age is one of the most common causes of infertility. A woman reaches her peak fertility in her early 20’s. After her twenties, fertility declines rapidly. In married women between 16 and 20 years of age, the infertility rate is 4.5%. By the time a woman reaches 40 years of age or older, the infertility rate increases to 70%. Furthermore, miscarriages increase with age too. Therefore, if you want children, don’t postpone it, or you may have a difficult time becoming pregnant.

In addition to age, there are many other factors which cause infertility. Fertility problems are usually split equally between men and women; each sex accounts for 35% of fertility problems. Twenty percent of the time infertility occurs simultaneously in both partners. With women, the following problems can be a factor in infertility:

• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCO)
• Endometriosis
• Hormone Imbalances
• Physical problems with the uterine wall
• Uterine fibroids
• Std’s
• Stress
• Diet
• Smoking, alcohol, or drug use
• Medications
• Environmental toxins
• Overweight/obesity
• Genetic problems
• Chronic illnesses - diabetes, high blood pressure, etc.
• Low quality cervical mucous
• Premature menopause
• Immune system problems
• Surgical complications
• Diethylstilbestrol (DES)

In men, the following factors can be a cause for infertility:

• Sperm disorders - low sperm count, low sperm motility
• Tight underwear
• Smoking, alcohol, or drug use
• Medications
• Testicle injuries
• Age
• Prostrate infections
• Variocele
• Duct blockage
• Genetic defects/structural problems
• Autoimmunity
• Environmental toxins
• Retrograde ejaculation
• Surgical complications
• Swollen veins in the scrotum
• Diethylstilbestrol (DES)

Many different factors can affect fertility. Don’t despair if takes awhile to concieve. You are not alone. Even with healthy couples, it can take up to a year before conception occurs. Therefore, if you are younger than thirty-five, you should see a doctor if you have not conceived within a year of having frequent, unprotected sex. If you are over 35, you should visit a doctor if you have not conceived within six months of having frequent, unprotected sex.

 http://hubpages.com/hub/The-Infertility-Series-Understanding-Ovulation

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http://hubpages.com/hub/tips-on-getting-pregnant_1

http://hubpages.com/hub/endometriosis-symptoms-causes-treatment

http://hubpages.com/hub/polycystic-ovary-syndrome-pcos-causes-signs-symptoms-treatment