There are many possible causes of fertility problems in women and men.
You can get treatment for most causes of fertility problems.
Causes of infertility in women
Many things can cause fertility problems in women, including ovulation problems, endometriosis and pelvic infections.
Causes of infertility in men
The most common cause of fertility problems in men is problems with sperm.
Sperm may:
- be low in number
- not be in your semen at all
- not be as good at swimming or moving as they should be
- have an unusual shape that makes it harder for them to move or get inside the egg
Lifestyle factors that can affect your fertility
Many things can affect your fertility if you're a man or a woman.
Age
Getting older affects your fertility. This strongly affects women. For women, your fertility starts to reduce from your 30s. As you get older, the number and quality of your eggs reduce.
For men, your fertility may start to reduce in your mid-40s. You may start to make less sperm and your sperm quality may not be as good.
Weight
Weight can affect your fertility. For women, being underweight or overweight may stop ovulation (production of eggs).
For men, having obesity can affect the number and quality of your sperm.
Healthy weight when trying to get pregnant
Smoking
Smoking can strongly affect your fertility. This includes inhaling smoke from other people smoking (passive smoking).
Alcohol and drugs
For women, if you are planning to get pregnant, it is safest to not drink alcohol at all. This will reduce the risks to you and your baby such as miscarriage.
For men, drinking too much alcohol can affect the quality of your sperm.
Using drugs can also affect your fertility. For example, in men, regular cannabis use can affect the quality of your sperm and how much sperm you have.
How alcohol affects your sex life and fertility
Find out more about drugs and alcohol - drugs.ie
Environment
Being around some pesticides, solvents, metals and high air temperatures may affect fertility, particularly in men.
Unexplained infertility
Sometimes there’s no known cause of fertility problems (unexplained infertility).
You can still get fertility treatment if no cause is found for your fertility problems.