Why cannot conceive

This extra tissue growth — and the surgical removal of it — can cause scarring, which can block fallopian tubes and keep an egg and sperm from uniting. Endometriosis can also disrupt implantation of the fertilized egg. The condition also seems to affect fertility in less-direct ways, such as damage to the sperm or egg. Several uterine or cervical causes can interfere with the egg implanting or increase the risk of miscarriage:.

In some cases, the cause of infertility is never found. A combination of several minor factors in both partners could cause unexplained fertility problems. Although it's frustrating to get no specific answer, this problem can correct itself with time. But you shouldn't delay treatment for infertility. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products.

Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Infertility is defined as trying to get pregnant with frequent, unprotected sex for at least a year with no success.

Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Female reproductive system Open pop-up dialog box Close. Female reproductive system The ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, cervix and vagina vaginal canal make up the female reproductive system. Fertilization and implantation Open pop-up dialog box Close.

Many fertility drugs increase a woman's chance of having twins, triplets, or other multiples. Women who are pregnant with multiple fetuses have more problems during pregnancy. Multiple fetuses have a high risk of being born too early prematurely.

Premature babies are at a higher risk of health and developmental problems. Intrauterine insemination IUI is an infertility treatment that is often called artificial insemination. In this procedure, the woman is injected with specially prepared sperm.

Sometimes the woman is also treated with medicines that stimulate ovulation before IUI. Assisted reproductive technology ART is a group of different methods used to help infertile couples. ART works by removing eggs from a woman's body. The eggs are then mixed with sperm to make embryos. The embryos are then put back in the woman's body. Success rates vary and depend on many factors. Some things that affect the success rate of ART include:. The U. ART can be expensive and time-consuming.

But it has allowed many couples to have children that otherwise would not have been conceived. The most common complication of ART is multiple fetuses. But this is a problem that can be prevented or minimized in several different ways. ART procedures sometimes involve the use of donor eggs eggs from another woman , donor sperm, or previously frozen embryos. Donor eggs are sometimes used for women who can not produce eggs. Also, donor eggs or donor sperm is sometimes used when the woman or man has a genetic disease that can be passed on to the baby.

An infertile woman or couple may also use donor embryos. These are embryos that were either created by couples in infertility treatment or were created from donor sperm and donor eggs. The donated embryo is transferred to the uterus. The child will not be genetically related to either parent. Women with no eggs or unhealthy eggs might also want to consider surrogacy. A surrogate is a woman who agrees to become pregnant using the man's sperm and her own egg.

The child will be genetically related to the surrogate and the male partner. After birth, the surrogate will give up the baby for adoption by the parents. Women with ovaries but no uterus may be able to use a gestational carrier. This may also be an option for women who shouldn't become pregnant because of a serious health problem. In this case, a woman uses her own egg. It is fertilized by the man's sperm and the embryo is placed inside the carrier's uterus.

The carrier will not be related to the baby and gives him or her to the parents at birth. Recent research by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed that ART babies are two to four times more likely to have certain kinds of birth defects. These may include heart and digestive system problems, and cleft divided into two pieces lips or palate. Researchers don't know why this happens.

The birth defects may not be due to the technology. Other factors, like the age of the parents, may be involved. More research is needed. The risk is relatively low, but parents should consider this when making the decision to use ART.

For more information about infertility, call the OWH Helpline at or contact the following organizations:. Department of Health and Human Services. ET closed on federal holidays. Breadcrumb Home A-Z health topics Infertility. Infertility Infertility means not being able to get pregnant after one year of trying or six months if a woman is 35 or older. What is infertility? Pregnancy is the result of a process that has many steps. To get pregnant: A woman's body must release an egg from one of her ovaries ovulation.

Problems with ovulation, Dr Nandi says, are therefore one of the most common reasons for conception problems. Signs of inconsistent ovulation, according to the NHS, including having irregular periods, no period at all or anovulation, otherwise known as abnormal bleeding. It can also help to have sex every other day or every three days throughout your cycle. If your fallopian tubes have become blocked or scarred through these incidences, then surgery might be required to break up the scar tissue in the fallopian tubes, making it easier for eggs to pass through.

While there are many issues with male fertility that can be sorted out through lifestyle changes, some are problems that men are born with. Prolonged sitting, driving, hot bath, saunas should be avoided. Too much exercise can be an issue for both men and women, our expert explains. PID leads to a blockage of the fallopian tubes, which prevents fertilization. There are numerous conditions that can contribute to infertility in men and women.

The signs and symptoms of each can vary greatly. But anything within a few days of that can be considered normal, as long as those cycles are consistent. This can be related to hormone issues, or to polycystic ovarian syndrome PCOS. Both of these can contribute to infertility. Most women experience cramps with their periods.

But painful periods that interfere with your daily life may be a symptom of endometriosis. Factors like stress or heavy workouts can cause your period to temporarily disappear. Signs of hormone fluctuations in women could indicate potential issues with fertility.

Talk to your doctor if you experience the following:. It could be related to hormone issues, to endometriosis, or to other underlying conditions that could also be contributing to infertility.