Causes of Fertility Issues:

Women: Common causes include ovulation disorders such as :¹

• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) - a condition where you have few, unusual or very long periods

• Primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) - A medical condition that occurs when a woman's ovaries stop working normally before age 40

• Endometriosis - a chronic gynecological disease where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside of the uterus.

• Age-related decline

• Uterine fibroids - non-cancerous tumors that grow in the uterus and are made up of muscle and connective tissue

• Blocked fallopian tubes and endocrine issues.

Men: Factors include :²

• Low sperm count

• Poor sperm motility - the ability of sperm to move efficiently and in a straight line through the female reproductive tract to fertilize an egg.

• Hormonal imbalances (such as more than normal production of prolactin, or lowered sensitivity to androgens) can interfere with the functioning of the testicles, affecting the production of testosterone and sperm production.

• Genetic/birth defects (such as a male having XXY chromosomes instead of XY),

• Age-related decline

• Direct trauma to the testicles and other testicular issues.

Lifestyle Factors: These factors affect both men and women -³

• Obesity

• Smoking

• Excessive alcohol consumption

• Exposure to harmful chemicals or radiation

• Autoimmune disorders

• Birth defects

• Cancer

• Diabetes

• Infections.

Challenges:

Emotional Impact: Fertility issues can lead to emotional impacts such as :

• Anxiety and depression

• Grief

• Low self-esteem

• Social stigma

• Anger, sadness and guilt

• Loneliness

Medical Interventions: While effective, treatments like in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and medications can be costly and emotionally taxing.