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 premature ovarian failure, 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 National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Related Issues Adhesions: What Are They and How Can They Be Prevented? American Society for Reproductive Medicine Diethylstilbestrol (DES) and Cancer National Cancer Institute Multiple Pregnancy and Birth: Considering Fertility Treatments March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation Side Effects of Injectable Fertility Drugs (Gonadotropins) American Society for Reproductive Medicine Specifics Age-Related Factors That Influence Fertility National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Conceiving After Tubal Surgery American Society for Reproductive Medicine 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 Hydrosalpinx American Society for Reproductive Medicine Hyperprolactinemia (Prolactin Excess) American Society for Reproductive Medicine Intrauterine Adhesions American Society for Reproductive Medicine Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Clinical Trials ClinicalTrials.gov: Infertility, Female National Institutes of Health Encyclopedia D and C D and C – slideshow Hysterosalpingography Hysteroscopy Intracytoplasmic sperm injection LH urine test (home test) Pelvic laparoscopy Serum progesterone Diagnosis and Tests Diagnostic Testing for Female Infertility American Society for Reproductive Medicine Estrogen Test American Association for Clinical Chemistry FSH (Follicle-Stimulating Hormone) Test American Association for Clinical Chemistry Hysterosalpingogram (HSG) American Society for Reproductive Medicine Laparoscopy and Hysteroscopy American Society for Reproductive Medicine LH (Luteinizing Hormone) Test American Association for Clinical Chemistry Ovulation Detection American Society for Reproductive Medicine Progesterone Test American Association for Clinical Chemistry Prolactin Test American Association for Clinical Chemistry Sonohysterography American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Start Here Diseases and Conditions That Influence Fertility National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Infertility and Women Hormone Health Network Infertility Fact Sheet Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health Trying to Conceive Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health Array Estradiol blood test Luteinizing hormone (LH) blood test Ovulation Pelvic laparoscopy – slideshow Prolactin blood test Reference Desk Female Reproductive System National Cancer Institute Treatments and Therapies Fertility Treatments for Women 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 MedlinePlus: Assisted Reproductive Technology National Library of Medicine Ovarian Drilling for Infertility American Society for Reproductive Medicine Treatments for Diseases That Cause Infertility National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Treatments for Infertility Resulting from Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Genetics Genetic Cause of Infertility Associated with Uterine Fibroids National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Genetics Home Reference: primary ciliary dyskinesia National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: recurrent hydatidiform mole National Library of Medicine Statistics and Research Infertility Research at the NICHD National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Find an Expert National Institute of Child Health and Human Development National Institute of Child Health and Human Development womenshealth.gov Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health NIH MedlinePlus Magazine Oncofertility: A New Medical Specialty Helping Young Cancer Patients Have Children Journal Articles Female infertility Living With Weight and Fertility American Society for Reproductive Medicine Latest News Breast Cancer Gene Might Lower Women’s Fertility HealthDay
