Infertility

Approximately 7 million, or 1 in 6 couples will have difficulty conceiving and may need medical help to identify and treat the possible causes of infertility. The good news is that there are treatments now to help almost everyone.

Causes and Diagnosis of Infertility

Infertility is a condition of the reproductive system that affects the ability to conceive and carry a pregnancy to term. Conception is a complex process that relies on multiple factors: the production of healthy sperm and eggs; open reproductive pathways that allow sperm to reach the egg; the ability of the sperm to fertilize the egg; the implantation of the fertilized egg (embryo) into the uterus; and sufficient embryo quality.

In addition, maintaining a pregnancy requires a healthy embryo and a supportive hormonal and uterine environment. Challenges in any one of these areas can lead to difficulties with conception or pregnancy, resulting in infertility.

Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page for more information.

Causes of Infertility

Infertility is a medical condition, and no one is at fault—just as no one is to blame for conditions like diabetes or leukemia. Broadly speaking, approximately one-third of infertility cases are related to sperm-related factors, another third to egg or uterine factors, and the remaining third involve a combination of issues or have no identifiable cause (unexplained infertility).

Common factors that affect sperm production or function include azoospermia (absence of sperm), oligospermia (low sperm count), poor sperm motility, or abnormal sperm shape. In some cases, genetic conditions such as cystic fibrosis or chromosomal abnormalities can contribute to impaired sperm production or function.

On the egg or uterus side, ovulation disorders are among the most common causes. Other contributing factors may include blocked fallopian tubes (often due to conditions such as pelvic inflammatory disease or endometriosis), congenital anomalies of the reproductive tract, or uterine fibroids, which may be associated with recurrent pregnancy loss.

How Infertility Is Diagnosed

Individuals or couples are generally encouraged to seek medical evaluation if they have not achieved pregnancy after 12 months of trying. For those aged 35 or older, it may be appropriate to seek care after 6 months. For individuals aged 40 and above, it is often reasonable to pursue an evaluation before attempting conception, to better understand reproductive health and optimize the chances of success.

In some situations—such as known medical conditions, irregular menstrual cycles, or other fertility concerns—an earlier evaluation may be recommended regardless of age.

After a thorough history and consultation with one of our fertility specialists, personalized testing may be advised. This can include hormone testing and ultrasound to assess ovarian function, as well as imaging studies to evaluate the uterus and fallopian tubes. Semen analysis is commonly performed to evaluate sperm quantity, quality, and motility.

We recognize and support individuals and families of all identities and structures, including single parents and LGBTQ+ individuals or couples, and we tailor our diagnostic approach to meet each person's unique needs and goals.