For a woman to be fertile, her body must produce healthy egg cells that can be transported to a meeting place with sperm cells, and from there to a well-prepared uterus.
Problems with any of the following can diminish a woman's fertility:
Fallopian tube damage or blockage
Endometriosis
Ovulation disorders
Elevated prolactin
Polycystic ovarian syndrome
Early menopause
Benign uterine fibroids
Pelvic adhesions
Advanced Maternal Age
More women are choosing to delay childbearing until their late 30s and early 40s. Studies have demonstrated that almost half of women older than 40 will experience infertility. Naturally-occurring fertility levels decrease with advancing age, so prompt evaluation and aggressive treatment are important considerations for these women.
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age, causing infertility and other serious health repercussions. In fact, physicians believe PCOS to be the most common reason for menstrual irregularities.
Endometriosis is a common condition that occurs when the tissue lining the inside of the uterus spreads to the outside, often attaching to the ovaries, fallopian tubes, the uterus' outer surface, the pelvic cavity's lining, or other parts of the lower abdomen. Endometriosis occurs only in menstruating women, and its cause is unclear.