Infertility is the inability to naturally conceive after 12 months of trying to get pregnant. Overall, infertility affects some 10% to 15% of couples in their reproductive years. It’s estimated that female problems are involved in one third of cases; male problems, in another third; and a combination of female and male problems, in the other third. There are many causes of female infertility. Some are difficult to diagnose. They can be grouped into 3 broad categories: congenital (inherited), acquired and psychological. Following are some of the more common sources of female infertility.

Genetics. Researchers have identified about 350 genes that control female fertility. Just one missing or defective gene can cause infertility. One particular flawed gene, for example, prevents the ovaries from developing, so no eggs can be produced. Many women with inherited defective genes have benefited from in vitro fertilization, a procedure in which the sperm and egg are joined in a laboratory. The fertilized egg is then planted into the uterus (womb).

Hormonal imbalance. An imbalance of female sex hormones can interfere with menstruation, ovulation and egg growth. For example, high levels of the male hormone in the female body cause the eggs to form small cysts and stay within the ovaries instead of maturing and traveling to the fallopian tube or uterus. Various fertility drugs and hormone injections have helped in such cases of female infertility. Damage to the reproductive organs. Abnormalities in the organs of the female reproductive system-ovaries, fallopian tubes, cervix, vagina and uterus-can be congenital or acquired. The malfunction of any one of the reproductive organs can prevent natural conception. Congenital abnormalities include a missing reproductive organ, an abnormally shaped organ or even an extra organ.