What are the Leading Causes of Infertility?

Key Points:

• Men and women face challenges with infertility that prevent them from becoming parents.
• There are various leading causes of infertility to be aware of.
• Infertility doesn’t mean you can’t become a parent. Surrogacy is a path you can pursue, and with the right agency, you have a great chance of seeing your dreams become a reality.

Most infertility is caused by one or several things that can affect you, your partner, or both of you. Although some infertility issues correct themselves over time or with treatment, some infertility is hard to identify.

No matter the kind of infertility you’re facing, it’s important to know that this is not your fault, and we’re here to help.

Speak with a specialist today!

You should always see your doctor for an official infertility diagnosis. In the meantime, this guide can serve as a reference point that can quickly define some common causes of infertility in women and men.

You can contact us today if you want to talk to a professional about how you can grow your family or continue reading to learn more about causes of infertility.

Disclaimer: You should always speak to a medical professional to determine if you think you’re experiencing infertility. This article is only intended for educational purposes and should not be taken as medical advice.

What are the Leading Causes of Infertility?

Infertility is when a couple cannot conceive after one year of frequent, unprotected sex. It’s common for several small things to cause infertility, which is why seeing a doctor about suspected infertility is essential.

The following are a few common reasons females and males experience infertility.

What is the Leading Cause of Infertility in Females?

Women often blame themselves for not being able to get pregnant. We’re here to let you know that infertility is not your fault, and you are not alone.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, at least 10% of women in the United States experience infertility of some kind.

The following are some of the common reasons women experience infertility.

• Ovulation disorders: The Mayo Clinic reports that infrequent ovulation accounts for most infertility cases. The most common ovulation issue women face is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
• Damage to fallopian tubes: This includes previous surgery in the pelvis or abdomen and pelvic inflammatory disease.
• Endometriosis: This is caused by uterine tissue that implants and grows outside the uterus. It can scar or block the fallopian tubes or disrupt the implantation of an egg.
• Cervical or uterine causes: These include cervical stenosis, uterus shape, tumors or polyps, and more.

What is the Leading Cause of Infertility in Males?

If you’re a man experiencing infertility, you likely felt a range of emotions when you received your infertility diagnosis. You might feel frustrated, upset and “less than.” It’s important for you to know that infertility is not your fault and is more common than you may realize.

The Cleveland Clinic also reports that 10% of males in the U.S. experience infertility.

The following are the common reasons men experience infertility:

• Sperm disorders: According to Hopkins Medicine, the most common causes of male infertility involve sperm. Some conditions that affect sperm include immune problems, inflammatory issues, infections, genetic complications, and more.
• Structural issues: This involves any part of the genital tract that could block sperm.
• Other factors: This includes premature ejaculation, erectile dysfunction, or other illnesses and disorders.

Both men and women can experience unexplained infertility, too. The Mayo Clinic defines this as “A combination of several minor factors in both partners [that] could cause unexplained fertility problems.”

Coping with Infertility

If you and your partner have struggled with infertility for the past year, you’re likely feeling frustrated and possibly experiencing infertility grief.

It’s normal to feel sad, angry and a range of other emotions after trying to conceive. You and your partner love each other and have dreamed of bringing a child into your family in a specific way. Although infertility is a frustrating roadblock on the path to parenthood, you and your partner can still parent a child.

If you want to talk to someone about your infertility diagnosis, infertility counselors and support groups could help. Most surrogacy agency professionals can provide helpful suggestions.

Growing Your Family Through Surrogacy

After researching what are the causes of infertility, you may work with your doctor to try and get some medical answers.

Your doctor may suggest growing your family with the help of:

• Fertility drugs
• Medical infertility procedures

If you and your partner have already tried these suggestions, you may start to consider surrogacy.

What is Surrogacy?

Surrogacy is when a couple or individual works with a surrogate to grow their family.

Typically, the intended parents will work with a surrogacy agency to ensure they and the surrogate follows their state’s surrogacy guidelines. All modern surrogacies are gestational, meaning the surrogate is not related to the baby she carries.

Intended parents typically pay anywhere from $60,000 to $150,000 to cover a surrogate’s needs during the surrogacy and provide her with a base payment. This fee also covers:

• Case management and agency fees
• Surrogate fees
• Legal and medical fees

Surrogacy is always an option for you, but don’t rush yourself into the process. Take all the time you need to work through your infertility diagnosis. It’s OK to tell a surrogacy professional you need infertility support resources, too. These professionals can give you suggestions for infertility counselors and support groups. 

Surrogacy Steps

Generally, all intended parents and surrogates go through the following surrogacy steps:

• Decide surrogacy is the right option: Surrogacy is a beautiful journey for everyone involved, but it takes time to determine it’s the right choice.
• Go through surrogacy screening: This may sound scary, but try not to worry. Surrogacy screenings exist to ensure everyone is prepared for the journey. Your agency has your back and wants you to succeed.
• Match with a surrogate: Everyone involved with your surrogacy gets to choose if they feel it’s the right fit. Introductions happen via phone. Once everyone agrees to work together, the intended parents and the surrogate will have their surrogacy attorney to protect their rights.
• The surrogacy medical process: The embryo is created using the sperm and egg from the intended parents or donors. Once the fertility clinic creates the embryo, it’s transferred to the surrogate mother.
• Pre-delivery meetings: Intended parents and surrogates often have several meetings before the surrogate gives birth. This allows the intended family to be part of the pregnancy and watch their child grow.
• Delivery and parenthood: Once the surrogate gives birth, the intended parents get to take their baby home and start their surrogacy journey.

Next Steps on Your Family Building Journey

The answer to the question, “what are the causes of infertility,” is often complicated. But, working with a doctor can help you and your partner better understand your infertility situation and how you can move forward in your parenthood journey.

Contact us today if you’re ready to talk about your family-building options.