Infertility is one such problem which one in every six couples suffers from. But most of us hesitate to bring up the topic of infertility simply to even discuss about it. Majority of the times women are held at fault for not being able to conceive. However, even men at times are responsible for the infertility. The main factors that cause infertility can be equally attributed to men as well as women. Say about 32% of the causes of infertility are attributed to men, another 32% are attributed to women, 17% to the combined factors of both men and women, leaving a mere 19% to unexplained factors.

Infertility in its simplest term is defined as the failure to conceive after one year of unprotected intercourse. Infertility can be classified into two categories, namely 1) Primary infertility when there has not been any pregnancy earlier and 2) Secondary infertility, when there has been an earlier pregnancy. There are many causes of infertility. To name a handful of them cervical factors, uterine problems, Endometriosis, Ovulation problems, age related factors etc. Here let us discuss about some of the very common factors which are the possible causes of infertility.

Ovulation problem is one very common cause of infertility. This problem arises due to lack of good quality eggs or the ovary fails to release matured eggs. The reasons could be due to hormonal imbalance. This category also includes the polycystic ovary syndrome which is also one leading cause of infertility. The ovulation problem is often related to the age factor and it generally applies to those women who are beyond 37 years of age. Ovulation is also likely effected by stress, extreme change in lifestyle, abnormality in thyroid glands etc.

Low sperm count in men is another major cause of infertility. It may also be because the sperm has low motility or sperm deficiency or it could even be allergic to the semen. Though this happens rarely but when it does occurs the body releases anti bodies that react against the sperm cells and kills it. Blockage of the fallopian tube in women or blockage of the epididymis tube in men is another cause for infertility. This blockage would prevent the sperm from reaching to the egg thereby not allowing the egg to fertilize.

Combination infertility is one such condition when the couples both male and female suffer from one or more infertility problems. Another very common cause is the unexplained cause of infertility. Yet even after a series of tests, the doctors find everything normal and fail to identify the exact cause of the infertility. In such a condition the doctor usually considers rigorous exercise, over or underweight, environment factors are the contributing factors.

Read on to know more about how to increase the sperm count and what are the main fertility problems.