Am I at Risk for Fertility Issues?

About 10-18% of the population in the US suffers from fertility issues. One-third of the cases of infertility are due to female factors, one-third due to male factors, and one-third of the cases are due to a combination or male and female factors or unexplainable causes. Let’s consider some of the common risks of fertility issues that may interfere with your plans of starting a family.

• Age: Advancing age is the primary factor. As a woman becomes older, the number of eggs become less and the quality of the eggs also decrease. Although males are not as significantly affected, there is definitely a decrease in male fertility as men grow older.
• High-risk sexual behavior: Having unprotected sex with multiple partners increases risk of sexually transmitted diseases that can cause the fallopian tubes to become occluded and compromise fertility.
• Medical Conditions: Medical issues like fibroid tumors or ovarian tumors can affect a woman’s chances of becoming pregnant and regular medications to treat chronic medical conditions may have side effects that affect fertility
• Environmental toxins: Certain jobs that involve exposure to heat or harmful chemicals, smoking, and excessive alcohol use are also associated with diminished fertility.
• Weight: Being overweight or underweight can affect normal ovulation in females and sperm production in males thereby reducing chances of achieving pregnancy.
• Testosterone Supplementation: Using testosterone supplements to increase muscle mass and strength can cause shrinkage of testicles, reduce sperm count, and have a negative impact on fertility.

If you have been trying to get pregnant unsuccessfully for more than a year or if you are above the age of 35 and would like to start a family, visit the specialists at the ReproMed Fertility Center for an evaluation and to discuss your options.