National Infertility Awareness Week: How Common Is Infertility in Women?

Getting pregnant is actually a lot harder than you might think. If you or a loved one has ever struggled with infertility, you are not alone. According to RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association, 1 in 8 couples have trouble getting pregnant or sustaining pregnancy.

Infertility can affect both men and women. While cause is often difficult to determine, approximately one-third of infertility cases are due to female reproductive issues and another third is due to male reproductive issues.

What are the common causes of infertility?

For women, these are the most common causes of infertility:

• Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) and other disorders that affect ovulation (e.g., hyperprolactinemia, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism)
• Uterine or cervical abnormalities
• Endometriosis
• STIs or other infections
• Uterine fibroids, polyps, cysts or other growths in the reproductive system
• Primary ovarian insufficiency (early menopause)
• Pelvic adhesions following infection, appendicitis, or abdominal surgery
• Chemotherapy and radiation treatments
• Advanced age
• Excess weight

These are the most common causes of infertility for men:

• Abnormal sperm production or function
• Cystic fibrosis
• Structural problems, blockages or other damage or injury to the reproductive organs
• Overexposure to certain environmental factors (e.g., pesticides, radiation, nicotine, alcohol, marijuana) or medications (e.g., antibiotics, antihypertensives, anabolic steroids)
• Frequent exposure to heat, such as saunas or hot tubs
• Chemotherapy and radiation treatments

Common fertility tests for men and women

Pomona Valley Health Centers (PVHC) offers many state-of-the-art fertility tests to help determine the cause of infertility, including:

• Semen analysis (men)
• Testicular biopsy (men)
• Hormone testing (men and women)
• Genetic testing (men and women)
• Ovulation testing (women)
• Hysterosalpingography (women)
• Ovarian reserve testing (women)

When you’re ready to start a family, fertility issues can feel like an insurmountable obstacle, but you don’t have to go it alone. PVHC offers skilled, compassionate infertility services in Pomona Valley. Call 909-630-7829 for more information about our women’s health services.