Infertility & Reproduction Health Center

Things that increase your risk of having fertility problems include:

• The woman's age. The older a woman is, the more likely she is to have problems getting pregnant:²
  • Age 20 to 24: 7 out of 100 women have fertility problems.
  • Age 25 to 29: 9 out of 100 have fertility problems.
  • Age 30 to 34: 15 out of 100.
  • Age 35 to 39: 22 out of 100.
  • Age 40 to 44: 29 out of 100.
• Birth defects. Some men and women were born with problems in their reproductive systems.
• Exposure to DES before birth.
• Moderate or severe endometriosis .
• Past exposure to very high levels of environmental toxins, certain drugs, or high doses of radiation. This includes cancer chemotherapy or radiation.
• Past infection with a sexually transmitted infection, such as gonorrhea or chlamydia, that has since damaged the reproductive system.
• Infrequent ejaculation. Going 10 days or longer between ejaculations may temporarily lower sperm count.
• A previous vasectomy or tubal ligation . Sometimes these procedures, which are meant to prevent pregnancy, can be reversed.
• Polycystic ovary syndrome .