There are a number of factors that can cause infertility in both women and men. Some of the most common risk factors for women include: age, ovulation disorder, having a history of STD’s, exposure to certain toxins, abnormal hormone levels, and lifestyle factors. Many people don’t realize that bad lifestyle choices and habits can cause infertility, but they really can.
Some of them are easy to overcome and others are not.
Lifestyle habits that can cause infertility include:
- Smoking, taking drugs, and alcohol consumption.
- Stress, as it can cause irregular periods. In a man’s case, it can reduce the sperm count.
- Unhealthy diets, such as anorexia and binging/purging (bulimia).
- Excessive exercising and physical activity.
- Certain sexual habits, such as using lubricants.
For the most part, these can be overcome. However, for some individuals, the damage can already be done and irreversible. This is particularly true for individuals over 35 who have physical damage to their reproductive systems. In such cases, medical treatment or even surgery may be needed in order to help a couple to conceive; that is, if the reproductive system can still be repaired.
Untreated STD’s and pelvic inflammatory diseases (PID’s) can also cause infertility. The most common PID’s are gonorrhea and chlamydia. According to studies, 21% of women with a PID are infertile. This is because such diseases can cause damage and scarring to the reproductive tract, which blocks the fallopian tubes. Women infected with a PID experience no symptoms, which is why they often go untreated.
STD’s can cause infertility in both men and women. Men who are infected with a sexually transmitted disease often develop epididymitis, which can cause inflammation in the vessels that transfer semen through the male reproductive system. Obviously, this can cause a blockage that results in male infertility. Men who are untreated can also transfer the STD to their girlfriends or wives, causing them to have reproductive problems also.
Some women have ovulation disorders. This means that their eggs either don’t properly develop or they do so irregularly. This condition is referred to as anovulation. Women who never develop or release eggs have a condition known as anovulatory. Usually, medication can help treat such conditions, although it’s not guaranteed to always help.
Sometimes a woman might only experience a menstrual period every now and then due to a condition called amenorrhea. There are different levels of this condition which can be caused by a number of different underlying reasons. There are many possible explanations for amenorrhea, although they can be hard to identify. Fortunately, once doctors identify the underlying problems, treatment is easily available.
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