Infertility Risk Factors for Men and Women
For women. General factors that can affect the ability to ovulate, conceive, or deliver a child successfully include the following:
- Age. Women in their late 30s and older are generally less fertile than women in their early 20s
- Endometriosis
- Chronic diseases (diabetes, lupus, arthritis, hypertension, or asthma)
- Hormonal imbalance
- Environmental factors. Cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, or exposure to workplace hazards or toxins
- Excessive or very low body fat
- Abnormal Pap smears that have been treated with cryosurgery or cone biopsy
- DES taken by mother during pregnancy
- Sexually transmitted diseases
- Fallopian tube disease
- Multiple miscarriages
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For men. Infertility is not just a woman's problem. Following is a list of risk factors related to male infertility:
- History of prostatitis, genital infection, or sexually transmitted diseases
- Exposure to hazards on the job or toxic substances, such as radiation, radioactivity, welding, and many chemicals, including lead, ethylene dibromine, and vinyl chloride.
- Cigarette or marijuana smoke
- Heavy alcohol consumption
- Exposure of the genitals to high temperatures
- Hernia repair
- Undescended testicles
- Prescription drugs for ulcers or psoriasis
- DES taken by mother during pregnancy
- Mumps after puberty
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