Causes of Infertility

For couples and individuals struggling to conceive a baby, the situation can feel hopeless. At Innovative Fertility Center, Dr. Mark Rispler and Dr. Joshua J. Berger combine clinical expertise and compassionate care to assist our patients in realizing their dreams of parenthood. We understand the importance of this goal, so the entire team at our Manhattan Beach fertility center is committed to diagnosing and treating common causes of infertility.

Understanding infertility basics

Conservative estimates suggest that one in eight U. S. couples will face the issue of infertility. Reproductive specialists define infertility as the inability to conceive after actively trying for 12 months (six months if the female partner is older than age 35). As part of a complete fertility evaluation, your doctor will run tests to determine the causes of infertility. In about one-third of cases, female infertility inhibits conception. Male factor infertility occurs in one-third of cases, and unexplained infertility accounts for the other one-third.

Revealing typical causes of female infertility

The first step to conceiving a baby is determining the obstacles keeping you from a healthy pregnancy, so your doctor will perform various tests to look at potential problems. If the results indicate issues related to female infertility, your doctor will explain the best options to address these complications so that you can achieve pregnancy. Female infertility often occurs because of factors that include:

• Maternal age
• Hormone imbalances
• Endometriosis
• Physical abnormalities like uterine fibroids or polyps
• Medical conditions such as polycystic ovarian syndrome

Unmasking male factor infertility causes

As part of any fertility testing, your doctor will want to rule out male factor infertility with a semen analysis. This test will check the size, shape, speed and number of sperm produced by your partner. Often, issues such as blockages, varicoceles, ejaculatory dysfunction, or underlying medical conditions like cystic fibrosis can hinder pregnancy odds. If your doctor finds any signs of male factor infertility, he will refer your partner to a urologist, a physician specializing in the male reproductive system.

Choose Innovative Fertility Center for comprehensive treatment

When patients visit our Manhattan Beach fertility center, we provide the complete medical care they need and the unwavering support they deserve. Your doctor will discuss your situation, evaluate the specific causes of infertility and review the appropriate treatment in order to remove any road blocks to conception. If you have tried to get pregnant without success, call our fertility clinic to schedule a consultation appointment.