Infertility causes and treatment

There are many reasons why some people have trouble getting pregnant. If you’re struggling with infertility, you're not alone.

Infertility means there is a health problem with the male or female reproductive system. This problem makes it hard to get pregnant or carry a baby until birth.1

What causes infertility?

Getting pregnant takes several steps. Here’s how it works:2,3

  • An egg is released from an ovary. This is called ovulation.
  • The egg travels through a tube called the fallopian tube to the uterus.
  • Sperm needs to meet and join with the egg. This is called fertilization and usually occurs in the fallopian tube.
  • The fertilized egg then travels to the uterus. Inside the uterus it  sticks to the wall of the uterus. This is called implantation.

If there are problems with any of these steps, it can make it hard to get pregnant.2

About one-third of infertility cases happen because of female infertility. Another third are because of male infertility. The rest are caused by both or unknown causes.2

Common causes of female infertility

The most common reason women have trouble getting pregnant is because of a problem with ovulation.3 Ovulation problems may be caused by polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) or Primary ovarian insufficiency (POI).2

Other causes of infertility include: 2

Common causes of male infertility

Men may be infertile for a few common reasons:2

  • Varicocele
  • Low or no sperm count
  • Sperm may not move well because of their shape or if something blocks them, like an injury or damage to the body

Some men are born with these problems, but others get them later because of sickness or getting hurt.

What are some infertility risk factors for men and women?

There are many factors that raise the risk for infertility. These may include:2

  • Being over age 35
  • Smoking or heavy alcohol use
  • Feeling stressed
  • Having a poor diet
  • Doing a lot of sports or exercise
  • Being too heavy or too thin
  • Having a sexually transmitted infection (STI)

What steps can I take to increase my chances of conceiving?

To increase your chances of getting pregnant, you may need to make small changes to your lifestyle. Here are some actions that could help:4,5

If you want help making changes to your daily habits to help you get pregnant, talk to your doctor.

Find a doctor

How do I know it’s time to talk to a specialist?

It’s smart to talk to your doctor before you start trying to get pregnant. Your doctor can help you get ready to have a baby and answer your questions about getting pregnant.2

Most doctors say you should try to get pregnant for at least one year before seeing a specialist. If you’re a woman who is 35 or older, talk to your doctor after 6 months of trying. It gets harder to have a baby each year after you turn 30.2,6

Some health problems can make it tougher for women to get pregnant. Talk to your doctor if you have:2

  • Periods that don’t come regularly or don't come at all
  • Very painful periods
  • Endometriosis
  • Pelvic inflammatory disease
  • 2 or more miscarriages

If you’re a UnitedHealthcare member, you can sign in to your member account to find a fertility specialist or fertility clinic near you.

What’s done during fertility testing?

Infertility testing may help you find out why you're having trouble getting pregnant. Doctors use tests like ultrasounds, hysterosalpingograms (HSG) and semen analysis to look for problems. Blood tests can check hormone levels or find other health issues. There are also kits that can check fertility at home.7

Fertility treatment options

The treatment you get will depend on what the doctor finds. Your doctor may suggest:4

  • Making healthy changes to your daily habits
  • Surgery
  • Medicine

Sometimes, you may need a mix of these treatments. Sometimes, doctors may not know why you can't get pregnant. But there are still things you can do to try to help you have a baby.4

Fertility medications

Ovulation stimulation means taking medicine to help you ovulate. Doctors suggest this treatment if you don't ovulate regularly or if you don't ovulate at all, and other problems have been checked for. Sometimes, ovulation stimulation is used with other treatments for infertility.4

Gonadotropins are another type of medicine that help your body ovulate. Doctors use these if other medicines don't work or if you need to release several eggs for infertility treatments. You get gonadotropins in a series of shots at the start of your period. Your doctor will do blood tests and ultrasounds to see how your eggs are growing. When the eggs are ready, you may get another medicine to help an egg be released.4

Fertility surgery

For women, surgery can help with:4

  • Fixing fallopian tubes that are blocked or damaged
  • Treating endometriosis
  • Removing polyps or fibroids from the uterus

For men, a common cause of infertility is swollen veins in the scrotum. Sometimes, surgery can help fix this problem.4

Alternative pregnancy options

There are many ways to become a parent, and choosing the best option can feel tough. Start by learning about the choices you have, including those for LGBTQ+ families. Families can look many different ways, and each person’s path is special.

Alternative routes to pregnancy may include:

Learn more about fertility treatments and alternative pregnancy options

Psychological impact of infertility

Infertility may also cause emotional pain. It’s not uncommon to experience anxiety or depression during this time, particularly when others announce a pregnancy. The process of trying to conceive may become all-consuming. This stress may take a toll.

Lean on friends and family, join a support group or find a professional to help you process your feelings and cope with emotions while experiencing fertility treatment. If you feel tired, your relationship is having problems, or you can't sleep well, you might want to talk to your doctor about taking a short break from all the appointments, tests and treatments.

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