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The Facts
Infertility is usually defined as the inability to become pregnant after one year of sex without birth control. It affects about 10% of couples of reproductive age. In about one-third of cases, it's attributed to the man, and a similar proportion is due to problems in the woman. In the other third of cases, either both partners have problems, or the cause of the infertility is never found. There is often overlap of the causes with combined factors in up to 20% of couples.
People shouldn't assume that they or their partners are infertile until they've tried and failed to conceive for at least six months if the female partner is 35 years or older or for at least one year if the female partner is less than 35 years. If you still are not able to get pregnant after this time, check with your doctor. Fortunately, it's not uncommon for couples to suddenly conceive a child without treatment after years of trying unsuccessfully.
Causes
There are hundreds of medical problems that can cause infertility in both men and women.
Causes of infertility in men include:
* hormone disturbance
* smoking
* overheating of the testicles caused by exercise, hot water, tight clothing, excessive sitting (truck drivers) and other conditions and situations
* cancer drugs and radiation therapy
* mumps after puberty
* sexually transmitted diseases
* anatomical abnormalities of the genitals such as undescended testicles
* use of some medications, such as some antihypertensives, some antidepressants, and male hormones
* genital injury
* prostate surgery
* varicose veins in the testicles
* excessive alcohol
* intercourse problems such as premature withdrawal or poor timing with their partner's menstrual cycle
* spinal cord injury
* genetic abnormalities
* urinary tract infection
* cystic fibrosis
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