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Published on: 8/20/2026

What are some common infertility issues and their treatments?

Yoshinori Abe

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Infertility is a medical condition affecting roughly 1 in 6 couples worldwide, defined as the inability to conceive after 12 months of regular, unprotected intercourse (or 6 months if the woman is over 35). It can stem from issues in either partner, including ovulation disorders, blocked fallopian tubes, endometriosis, low sperm count, or poor sperm motility. In many cases, no single cause is identified. Fortunately, infertility is often treatable through medications that regulate ovulation, surgical procedures to correct anatomical issues, or assisted reproductive technologies such as intrauterine insemination (IUI) and in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Because infertility has many possible causes—and early diagnosis significantly improves outcomes—it's worth understanding your symptoms before scheduling costly appointments. A free, instant, online symptom check can help you identify potential underlying conditions, clarify what questions to ask your doctor, and guide your next steps with confidence. It takes just a few minutes and could save you months of uncertainty.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/15/2026

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Explanation

Infertility means having trouble getting pregnant after a year of trying. Common causes include problems with ovulation, blocked fallopian tubes, or issues with sperm.

Causes of Infertility:

  1. Women:
  • Ovulation problems: This happens when eggs do not mature or release properly.
  • Blocked fallopian tubes: These tubes carry eggs from the ovaries to the uterus and can get blocked by infections or other conditions.
  1. Men:
  • Sperm problems: This includes low sperm count or sperm that do not move well.

Treatments for Infertility:

  1. Medications:
  • Medicines can help women ovulate.
  1. Surgery:
  • Surgery can fix blocked fallopian tubes or remove tissue that should not be there.
  1. Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART):
  • In Vitro Fertilization (IVF): This involves taking eggs and sperm out of the body, fertilizing them in a lab, and then putting them back in the uterus.

Finding the right treatment depends on the cause of infertility, so if you're experiencing symptoms or concerns, you can start by using a free symptom checker to help identify potential issues before talking to a doctor to find the best plan.

(References)

  • Carson SA, & Kallen AN. (2021). Diagnosis and Management of Infertility: A Review. JAMA, 34228062.

  • Brugo-Olmedo S, Chillik C, & Kopelman S. (2001). Definition and causes of infertility. Reproductive biomedicine online, 12537824.

  • Vander Borght M, & Wyns C. (2018). Fertility and infertility: Definition and epidemiology. Clinical biochemistry, 29555319.

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