Leading Causes of Infertility Among Women

According to the CDC, roughly 19% of women aged 15 to 49 are considered infertile or unable to get pregnant. Infertility is defined as an inability to conceive or get pregnant after one year of frequent unprotected sex. While the exact cause of female infertility can be difficult to diagnose, there are some common causes that are known in the medical field. This article will break down some of the leading causes of infertility in women.

Failure to Ovulate – this is the most common cause of female infertility, occurring in 40% of women with infertility issues. Failure to ovulate can occur for a number of reasons, among them age, diet, low body fat related to intense exercise, and/or ovulation disorders.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) – This is the most common ovulation disorder known to cause infertility, affecting 5-10% of females. It leads to a hormonal imbalance which interferes with a woman’s ability to ovulate regularly.