Customise Consent Preferences

We use cookies to help you navigate efficiently and perform certain functions. You will find detailed information about all cookies under each consent category below.

The cookies that are categorised as "Necessary" are stored on your browser as they are essential for enabling the basic functionalities of the site. ... 

Always Active

Necessary cookies are required to enable the basic features of this site, such as providing secure log-in or adjusting your consent preferences. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable data.

No cookies to display.

Functional cookies help perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collecting feedback, and other third-party features.

No cookies to display.

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics such as the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

No cookies to display.

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyse the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

No cookies to display.

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with customised advertisements based on the pages you visited previously and to analyse the effectiveness of the ad campaigns.

No cookies to display.

Who is Responsible for Infertility?

Causes of infertility when a couple does not fall pregnant, despite actively trying for at least a year. The challenge of infertility should be one faced by a couple together. Until testing is carried out, it may not be possible to discern where the problem lies.

Where a cause for the infertility is identified, testing will usually reveal that in one-third of cases the problem lies with the female, in one-third of cases it lies with the male and in one-third of cases it is due to a combination of factors.

Female infertility

Some of the most common female infertility issues include:

Male infertility

Some of the most common male infertility issues include:

  • Abnormal sperm production (a low sperm count, sperm that does not move well, or sperm that is an irregular shape)
  • Varicoceles (abnormal veins in the testes)
  • Premature or retrograde ejaculation
  • Anti-sperm antibodies.
  • Exposure to environmental factors, including pesticides, drugs and other chemicals.
  • Cancers, particularly those that affect the male and female reproductive systems, can also massively impair fertility, as can the most commonly used radiation and chemotherapy treatments.

Seeking help for infertility

When seeking guidance and advice for infertility, it is recommended that both partners attend the sessions, particularly as it is a good opportunity to learn more about the normal process of conception as well as natural ways to increase fertility. In up to 25% of cases, even after comprehensive testing, the doctor will diagnose ‘idiopathic infertility’, meaning there is no obvious cause. The good news, however, is that most couples that seek medical advice will eventually conceive.

Nabta is reshaping women’s healthcare. We support women with their personal health journeys, from everyday wellbeing to the uniquely female experiences of fertility, pregnancy, and menopause

Get in touch if you have any questions about this article or any aspect of women’s health. We’re here for you. 

Sources:

Gunn, D D, and G W Bates. “Evidence-Based Approach to Unexplained Infertility: a Systematic Review.” Fertility and Sterility, vol. 105, no. 6, June 2016, pp. 1566–1574., doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2016.02.001.

Nip, M M, et al. “Autoantibodies and Antisperm Antibodies in Sera and Follicular Fluids of Infertile Patients; Relation to Reproductive Outcome after in-Vitro Fertilization.” Human Reproduction, vol. 10, no. 10, Oct. 1995, pp. 2564–2569.

“Causes: Infertility.” NHS, 14 Feb. 2017, www.nhs.uk/conditions/infertility/causes/.

Infertility.” Mayo Clinic, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/infertility/symptoms-causes/syc-20354317.