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Female Infertility
Summary
Infertility means not being able to get pregnant after at least one year of trying (or 6 months if the woman is over age 35). If a woman keeps having miscarriages, it is also called infertility. Female infertility can result from age, physical problems, hormone problems, and lifestyle or environmental factors.
Most cases of infertility in women result from problems with producing eggs. In primary ovarian insufficiency, the ovaries stop functioning before natural menopause. In polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), the ovaries may not release an egg regularly or they may not release a healthy egg.
About a third of the time, infertility is because of a problem with the woman. One third of the time, it is a problem with the man. Sometimes no cause can be found.
If you think you might be infertile, see your doctor. There are tests that may tell if you have fertility problems. When it is possible to find the cause, treatments may include medicines, surgery, or assisted reproductive technologies. Happily, many couples treated for infertility are able to have babies.
Dept. of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
Diagnosis and Tests
- Anti-Müllerian Hormone Test National Library of Medicine
- Diagnostic Testing for Female Infertility American Society for Reproductive Medicine
- Estrogen Levels Test National Library of Medicine
- Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) Levels Test National Library of Medicine
- Hysterosalpingogram (HSG) American Society for Reproductive Medicine
- Hysterosalpingography Radiological Society of North America
- Hysteroscopy National Library of Medicine
- Karyotype Genetic Test National Library of Medicine
- Laparoscopy National Library of Medicine
- Luteinizing Hormone (LH) Levels Test National Library of Medicine
- Pneumothorax – series — Normal Medical Encyclopedia
- Progesterone Test National Library of Medicine
- Prolactin Levels National Library of Medicine
- Sonohysterography Radiological Society of North America
Treatments and Therapies
- Assisted Reproductive Technology: MedlinePlus Health Topic National Library of Medicine
- Fertility Treatments for Females Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
- Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
- Medications for Inducing Ovulation American Society for Reproductive Medicine
- Ovarian Drilling for Infertility American Society for Reproductive Medicine
- Treatments for Diseases that Cause Infertility Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
Clinical Trials
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Infertility, Female National Institutes of Health
Encyclopedia
- D and C Medical Encyclopedia
- D and C – series — Normal anatomy Medical Encyclopedia
- Hysterosalpingography Medical Encyclopedia
- Hysteroscopy Medical Encyclopedia
- Intracytoplasmic sperm injection Medical Encyclopedia
- LH urine test (home test) Medical Encyclopedia
- Ovulation Medical Encyclopedia
- Pelvic laparoscopy Medical Encyclopedia
- Serum progesterone Medical Encyclopedia
Find an Expert
- Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
- Find an Ob-Gyn American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
Related Issues
- Diethylstilbestrol (DES) Exposure and Cancer National Cancer Institute
- Fertility Issues in Girls and Women with Cancer National Cancer Institute
- Side Effects of Injectable Fertility Drugs (Gonadotropins) American Society for Reproductive Medicine
Specifics
- Endometriosis: Does It Cause Infertility? American Society for Reproductive Medicine
- Fallopian Tubes: Is Pregnancy Possible with Only One? Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
- What Age-Related Factors May Be Involved with Infertility in Females and Males? Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
Patient Handouts
- Estradiol blood test Medical Encyclopedia
- Luteinizing hormone (LH) blood test Medical Encyclopedia
- Prolactin blood test Medical Encyclopedia
Reference Desk
- Female Reproductive System National Cancer Institute
Start Here
- Infertility Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health
- Reproductive Infertility Endocrine Society
- Trying to Conceive Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health
- What Are Some Causes of Infertility? Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
Journal Articles
Genetics
- Recurrent hydatidiform mole: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
Living With
- Weight and Fertility American Society for Reproductive Medicine