• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) - PID is the most common cause of infertility worldwide. It's an infection of the pelvis or one or more of the reproductive organs, including the ovaries, the fallopian tubes, the cervix or the uterus. Sometimes PID spreads to the appendix or to the entire pelvic area.

• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCO) - This condition affects 5 million American women and is another major cause of infertility. In PCO, the ovaries produce high amounts of male hormones, especially testosterone. LH levels also remain abnormally high while FSH levels are abnormally low; thus, the follicles do not produce eggs. Instead they form fluid-filled cysts that eventually cover the ovaries.

• Endometriosis - This disease is another common cause of female infertility. Endometriosis refers to a condition in which sections of the uterine lining implant in the vagina, ovaries, fallopian tubes or pelvis. These implants eventually form cysts that grow with each menstrual cycle, and may eventually turn into blisters and scars. The scars can then block the passage of the egg.

• Fibroids - Fibroids, or benign growths, may form in the uterus near the fallopian tubes or cervix. As a result, the sperm or fertilized egg cannot reach the uterus or implant there. Fibroids in the uterus are very common in women over age 30.

• Premature Menopause - Some women may experience premature menopause, when their ovaries stop producing eggs. Often the cause is excessive exercise or anorexia.
  

Causes of Male Infertility

While there are many causes of male factor infertility, some are seen more commonly than others. These top causes of male factor infertility account for the majority of cases of infertility in men. Here is a listing of the top causes of infertility in men, in no particular order.

• Blockage of Sperm - The vas deferens that carries sperm from the testicles to the penis can be blocked for a variety of reasons including prior vasectomy, injury, infection or physical anomaly.
• Infections - There are many types of infections that might cause sterility or low sperm counts in men. These can be recent infections or from childhood. Common infections can be mumps or certain types of sexually transmitted infections (STI).
• Chronic Disease - Diseases that can effect hormonal controls and sperm production, particularly when not controlled are also causes of infertility. Diabetes, hypertension and other problems can all effect the fertility of men.
• Erectile Dysfunction (ED) - If you have a problem getting or maintaining an erection then there will be problems getting the sperm out. Sometimes this is caused by a chronic illness like hypertension or heart problems, it can also be caused by paralysis.
• Failure to Produce Sperm - If the body isn't producing sperm there can be many reasons. Some may be from hormonal issues of testicular failure, while others may be from treatments for certain illnesses and cancer like chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
• Exposure to Harmful Substances - Environmental or work hazards can also lead to problems with fertility.
• Injury - If you have experienced injury to your testicles you may also have issues with sperm production.
• Varicocele - This is a varicosity, or varicose vein in the testicle. The varicosity damages the blood flow to the testes, making sperm production slowed or stopped.

While the treatments and outlook for these causes of infertility in men differ, there may be treatment options for you. Be sure to talk to Dr. Diaz about what outlook and treatment is best in your case.

Diagnosing Infertility

Potential female infertility will be assessed as part of a thorough physical exam. The exam will include a medical history regarding potential factors that could contribute to infertility..

Hormonal imbalances are frequent causes of female infertility. We can determine this by measuring specific female hormone blood levels. Success rates are high for this condition if therapy is individualized and precise.

Laparoscopy is an outpatient surgical procedure used to visually study the interior of the woman’s pelvis and reproductive organs. Conditions such as pelvic adhesions, endometriosis, fibroids and fallopian tube defects can be diagnosed as well as treated simultaneously.

Several tests are used to diagnose infertility in the woman. Women over the age of 35 should approach the diagnostic process with a sense of urgency. An endometrial biopsy – which measures hormone reactions in the uterus - may be used for this purpose. A tubal patency test is used to determine if the fallopian tubes are open. An x-ray dye test (hysterosalpingogram) provides documentation of the uterine anatomy and the status of the fallopian tubes.

A postcoital test is a very useful examination. It permits evaluation of the mucus following intercourse. Mucus quality and sperm survival are checked at this time using our microscope.