If you’ve been unable to conceive after a year of having unprotected sex, you may be diagnosed with infertility. If you’re a woman over 35, you may be diagnosed after six months of trying to become pregnant.

At Advanced Women’s Healthcare, our staff and team of experts are serious about family planning. Whether you’d prefer to prevent pregnancy or you’re actively attempting to conceive, we can help through providing guidance, as well as tools to help you reach your goals. If you suspect or have been diagnosed with infertility, we may offer services that you need.

Rising rates of infertility

About 1 in 10 couples experiences infertility, a rate that is higher now than in the past. Experts say the reason for the higher rate now is mostly because many couples are waiting longer to try to conceive, and older age is a risk factor for infertility in both men and women.

Having one or more children doesn’t prevent infertility. Even if you’ve successfully carried a pregnancy to term, the next time you try to get pregnant, you may experience infertility.

At one time, society believed that infertility was always a woman’s issue. Today experts know that about one-third of the cases of infertility are due to a problem with female fertility, about one-third is a problem with male fertility, and the remaining third is a result of a combination of problems or the cause can’t be determined.

Most common causes

Sometimes the cause of infertility comes down to simple lifestyle choices, but other times, it’s more complex. Here are a few of the most common reasons women and men are infertile.

Being overweight

Both men and women who are obese may struggle to conceive. Lowering your BMI through a combination of consuming a healthy, well-rounded diet and regular exercise can improve your chances of conception.

Hormone issues

Women may experience hormone imbalances that affect fertility. Our experts can perform blood tests and other diagnostics to identify hormone imbalances.

Thyroid issues may also contribute to infertility. Healthy thyroid function is necessary for many bodily processes, including carrying a pregnancy to term. Thyroid disorders are most often treated with medication.

Excessive alcohol use

Men or women who are heavy alcohol users may struggle to conceive. Cutting back could be the solution and is a healthier lifestyle choice overall.

Underlying medical conditions

Certain medical conditions can create fertility problems in both sexes. In men, cancer and cancer treatment can cause infertility, for example.

In women, the list of potential medical issues is longer and includes conditions such as endometriosis and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), along with cancer and other serious medical problems.

Learn more

Many more treatments for infertility exist today than in years past. The first step is to identify the main issue affecting your fertility, if that’s possible. The next step is designing a treatment plan based on your individual circumstances.

If you’d like to learn more about the causes of and treatments for infertility, schedule an appointment at Advanced Women’s Healthcare. Our providers are happy to answer your questions in the context of your life and your goals.

Scheduling is easy. Simply call us at 309-808-3068, and we’ll be happy to arrange a time that’s convenient for you.