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Risk factors

By Mayo Clinic staff

Many of the risk factors for both male and female infertility are the same. They include:

  • Age. After about age 32, a woman's fertility potential gradually declines Infertility in older women may be due to a higher rate of chromosomal abnormalities that occur in the eggs as they age. Older women are also more likely to have health problems that may interfere with fertility. The risk of miscarriage also increases with a woman's age. Men over age 40 may be less fertile than younger men.
  • Tobacco smoking. Men and women who smoke tobacco may reduce their chances of achieving a pregnancy and reduce the possible benefit of fertility treatment. Miscarriages are more frequent in women who smoke.
  • Alcohol use. For women, there's no safe level of alcohol use during conception or pregnancy. Moderate alcohol use does not appear to decrease male fertility.
  • Being overweight. Among American women, infertility often is due to a sedentary lifestyle and being overweight. In addition, a man's sperm count may be affected if he is overweight.
  • Being underweight. Women at risk include those with eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia, and women following a very low calorie or restrictive diet. Strict vegetarians also may experience infertility problems due to a lack of important nutrients such as vitamin B-12, zinc, iron and folic acid.
  • Too much exercise. In some studies, exercising more than seven hours a week has been associated with ovulation problems. On the other hand, not enough exercise can contribute to obesity, which also increases infertility.
  • Caffeine intake. Studies are mixed on whether consuming too much caffeine may be associated with decreased fertility. Some studies have shown a decrease in fertility with increased caffeine use while others have not shown adverse effects. If there are effects, it's likely that caffeine has a greater impact on a woman's fertility than on a man's. High caffeine intake does appear to increase the risk of miscarriage.
Preparing for your appointment Causes
References
  1. Guzick DS. Evaluation of the infertile couple. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 30, 2009.
  2. Hornstein MD et al. Optimizing natural fertility in couples planning pregnancy. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 30, 2009.
  3. Infertility: Frequently asked questions. National Women's Health Information Center. http://www.womenshealth.gov/FAQ/infertility.cfm. Accessed April 30, 2009.
  4. Swerdloff RS, et al. Causes of male infertility. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 30, 2009.
  5. Kuohung W, et al. Etiology of female infertility. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 30, 2009.
  6. Brassard M, et al. Basic infertility including polycystic ovary syndrome. Medical Clinics of North America. 2008;92:1163.
  7. Lobo RA. Infertility: Etiology, diagnostic evaluation, management, prognosis. In: Katz VL, et al., eds. Comprehensive Gynecology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/134799312-6/0/1524/267.html?tocnode=53760021&fromURL=267.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-02951-3..50044-3_1301. Accessed April 30, 2009.
  8. Kuohung W, et al. Overview of treatment of female infertility. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 30, 2009.
  9. Thinking about fertility treatment. March of dimes. http://www.marchofdimes.com/pnhec/173_14308.asp. Accessed April 30, 2009.
  10. Understanding menopause. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. http://www.womenshealth.gov/menopause/stages/premature.cfm. Accessed April 30, 2009.
  11. Uterine fibroids: Frequently asked questions. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. http://www.womenshealth.gov/FAQ/uterine-fibroids.cfm. Accessed April 30, 2009.
  12. Weng X, et al. Maternal caffeine consumption during pregnancy and the risk of miscarriage: A prospective cohort study. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology.2008;198:5.
  13. Sigman M, et al. Male infertility. In: Wein AJ, et al, eds. Campbell-Walsh Urology. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/134799312-10/836106647/1445/22.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-7216-0798-6..50021-2_1518. Accessed April 30, 2009.
  14. Casper RF, et al. Ovulation induction with aromatase inhibitors. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 30, 2009.
  15. Hammer LB. Psychiatric aspects of infertility and infertility treatments. Psychiatric Clinics of North America. 2007;30:689.
  16. Domar AD. The impact of acupuncture on in vitro fertilization outcome. Psychiatric Clinics of North America. 2007;30:4.

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June 27, 2009

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