Infertility risk factors

Infertility Microchapters

Home

Patient Information

Overview

Historical Perspective

Classification

Pathophysiology

Causes

Differentiating Infertility from other Diseases

Epidemiology and Demographics

Risk Factors

Natural History, Complications and Prognosis

Impact

Diagnosis

History and Symptoms

Physical Examination

Laboratory Findings

MRI

Pelvic Ultrasound

Other Imaging Findings

Other Diagnostic Studies

Treatment

Medical Therapy

Surgery

Primary Prevention

Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy

Future or Investigational Therapies

Case Studies

Case #1

Infertility risk factors On the Web

Most recent articles

Most cited articles

Review articles

CME Programs

Powerpoint slides

[1]

American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Infertility risk factors

All Images
X-rays
Echo & Ultrasound
CT Images
MRI

Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov

US National Guidelines Clearinghouse

NICE Guidance

FDA onInfertility risk factors

CDC on Infertility risk factors

risk factors in the news

Blogs on Infertility risk factors

Directions to Hospitals Treating Infertility

Risk calculators and risk factors for 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]

1. ↑ Practice Committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Electronic address: asrm@asrm.org. Practice Committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (2018). "Smoking and infertility: a committee opinion". Fertil Steril. 110 (4): 611–618. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2018.06.016. PMID 30196946.
2. ↑ Steiner AZ, Pritchard D, Stanczyk FZ, Kesner JS, Meadows JW, Herring AH; et al. (2017). "Association Between Biomarkers of Ovarian Reserve and Infertility Among Older Women of Reproductive Age". JAMA. 318 (14): 1367–1376. doi:10.1001/jama.2017.14588. PMC 5744252. PMID 29049585.CS1 maint: Multiple names: authors list (link)
3. ↑ Thong EP, Codner E, Laven JSE, Teede H (2020). "Diabetes: a metabolic and reproductive disorder in women". Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. 8 (2): 134–149. doi:10.1016/S2213-8587(19)30345-6. PMID 31635966.CS1 maint: Multiple names: authors list (link)
4. ↑ Broughton DE, Moley KH (2017). "Obesity and female infertility: potential mediators of obesity's impact". Fertil Steril. 107 (4): 840–847. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2017.01.017. PMID 28292619.
5. ↑ Hjollund NH, Jensen TK, Bonde JP, Henriksen TB, Andersson AM, Kolstad HA; et al. (1999). "Distress and reduced fertility: a follow-up study of first-pregnancy planners". Fertil Steril. 72 (1): 47–53. doi:10.1016/s0015-0282(99)00186-7. PMID 10428147.CS1 maint: Multiple names: authors list (link)