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Causes of female infertility

INTRODUCTION

Infertility is a complex disorder with significant medical, psychosocial, and economic aspects. The etiologies of female infertility will be reviewed here. Evaluation and treatment of female infertility are discussed separately. (See "Evaluation of female infertility" and "Overview of treatment of female infertility".)

Causes of male infertility are also discussed elsewhere. (See "Causes of male infertility".)

OVERVIEW

In a World Health Organization (WHO) study of 8500 infertile couples, female factor infertility was reported in 37 percent of infertile couples in developed countries, male factor infertility in 8 percent, and both male and female factor infertility in 35 percent [1]. The remaining couples had unexplained infertility or became pregnant during the study. The most common identifiable female factors, which accounted for 81 percent of female infertility, were:

  • Ovulatory disorders (25 percent)
  • Endometriosis (15 percent)
  • Pelvic adhesions (12 percent)
  • Tubal blockage (11 percent)
  • Other tubal abnormalities (11 percent)
  • Hyperprolactinemia (7 percent)

OVARY

Ovulatory disorders — Infrequent ovulation (oligoovulation) or absent ovulation (anovulation) results in infertility because an oocyte is not available every month for fertilization. Women who report monthly menses and molimina (breast tenderness, dysmenorrhea, bloating) are typically ovulatory. If menses and molimina are irregular or absent, pregnancy or another condition associated with oligoovulation/anovulation is likely. Potential causes are listed in the table (table 1) (see individual topic reviews for more information on each disorder).

                  

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Literature review current through: Apr 2013. | This topic last updated: Dec 4, 2012.
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