Infertility risk factors

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [2] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Sanjana Nethagani, M.B.B.S.[3]

Overview[edit | edit source]

Advanced age is the most important modifiable risk factor for women with infertility. Other risk factors include diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, PCOS etc.

Infertility Risk factors[edit | edit source]

Several factors play a role in infertility among women, such as:^[1]

• Advanced age is the most common risk factor. Women who are over the age of 30 have a declining ovarian reserve. ^[2]
• Chronic diseases such as diabetes, hyperthyroidism, hypertension etc also may cause infertility.^[3]
• Obesity is linked to infertility via various pathways, including peripheral aromatisation of estrogens leading to increased testosterone production which decreases gonadotropin secretion.^[4]
• Being underweight also causes infertility as evidenced by the female athlete triad. Low body weight is linked to infertility and sub fertility due to functional hypothalamic amenorrhea.
• Hormonal imbalance can cause infertility. The most common cause of hormonal imbalance is PCOS.
• Environmental hazards such as smoking, alcohol abuse, drug abuse etc.
• Untreated or improperly treated sexually transmitted infections which can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease and cause adhesions, synechiae and scarring.
• Previous pelvic or abdominal surgery.
• Endometriosis and adenomyosis
• Uterine fibroids
• High levels of stress among women have been associated with decreased fertility. ^[5]

References[edit | edit source]