Struggling to conceive can be frustrating and emotional, but the good news is that many causes of infertility are highly treatable. In fact, with the right medical support, it’s possible to overcome several common reproductive challenges and go on to have a successful pregnancy and delivery.
Our compassionate team at Alan B. Patterson, MD, is devoted to providing top-quality fertility care to women from Coral Springs, Florida, and the surrounding communities. We can help you identify and overcome fertility obstacles so you can fulfill your dream of growing or expanding your family. Here, we explore five common — but treatable — causes of infertility.
Irregular or infrequent ovulation is a common cause of infertility. Conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), thyroid disorders, and hormonal fluctuations can disrupt the natural female menstrual cycle, making conception difficult.
Fortunately, ovulation issues can often be treated with medication, lifestyle changes, and by addressing underlying health conditions.
Additionally, fertility medications that work to stimulate ovulation can help regulate your cycle and increase your chances of conception. Maintaining a healthy weight and managing conditions like insulin resistance can support improved hormonal balance and help restore regular ovulation, too.
The fallopian tubes are essential for fertilization, as they transport the egg from the ovary to the uterus. When they’re blocked due to scar tissue, endometriosis, or damage from a previous sexual infection, sperm can’t reach the egg — and this prevents pregnancy.
A specialized imaging test called a hysterosalpingogram (HSG) can detect fertility-affecting fallopian tube blockages. In some cases, minimally invasive surgery can remove obstructions and restore function. If the blockage is severe, in vitro fertilization (IVF) offers a solution by bypassing the fallopian tubes entirely.
Hormones regulate ovulation, egg quality, and the ability of the uterus to support a pregnancy. When levels of estrogen, progesterone, or prolactin are too high or too low, it can interfere with conception.
A simple blood test can identify hormonal imbalances. Treatment may involve hormone therapy, medications, and/or targeted lifestyle strategies. Addressing these imbalances can improve fertility and overall reproductive health.
As women age, egg quality naturally declines, reducing the chances of fertilization and increasing the risk of miscarriage. A woman’s egg quality is primarily determined by whether the eggs are chromosomally normal (euploid) or abnormal (aneuploid).
This distinction plays a critical role in fertilization and embryo development.
While ovarian reserve testing can estimate how many eggs a woman has, it doesn’t directly assess egg quality. Fertilization and genetic testing can confirm chromosomal normality.
In cases where egg quality is significantly affected, assisted reproductive technologies like IVF or egg donation can provide alternative fertility solutions.
In some cases, couples experience difficulty conceiving despite normal test results. This is known as unexplained infertility, which affects about 10–15% of couples. Though frustrating, it doesn’t mean pregnancy is impossible.
Tracking ovulation, optimizing sexual intercourse timing, and considering fertility treatments like intrauterine insemination (IUI) or IVF can increase the chances of conception.
You aren’t alone in your fertility journey. Many barriers to conception have effective solutions that can help you overcome fertility issues. With the right diagnosis and treatment plan, many couples go on to have healthy pregnancies.
Our team provides personalized fertility evaluations and treatments to help you navigate this journey with confidence. If you're ready to explore the options available to support your path to parenthood, schedule a consultation at Alan B. Patterson, MD, today.
