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Published on: 8/20/2026

What are some reasons for having trouble getting pregnant?

Yoshinori Abe

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Difficulty getting pregnant, known as infertility, can stem from several factors:

  • Health conditions: PCOS, endometriosis, thyroid disorders, blocked fallopian tubes, or low sperm count
  • Lifestyle factors: Smoking, excessive alcohol, high stress, obesity, or being underweight
  • Nutritional issues: Poor diet, vitamin D or folate deficiency, and iron imbalances
  • Age: Fertility naturally declines after 35 in women and gradually in men

Because the causes vary widely, identifying what's affecting your fertility is the essential first step. A quick, private symptom check can help you understand possible causes based on your specific symptoms and guide your next steps—whether that's a lifestyle adjustment, lab test, or specialist visit. It's free, takes just a few minutes, and could save you months of uncertainty.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/15/2026

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Explanation

Having trouble getting pregnant can happen for many reasons. Health Conditions: Some women have health problems like systemic autoimmune diseases that can affect fertility. Lifestyle Factors: Things like stress, smoking, alcohol use and being very overweight or underweight can also make it harder to get pregnant. Nutritional Issues: What you eat is important too. Eating a balanced diet can help, while poor nutrition might make it harder to conceive.

Here are some key points:

  1. Health Conditions: Systemic autoimmune diseases can impact fertility by affecting the body's ability to maintain a healthy pregnancy.
  2. Lifestyle Factors: Maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding smoking, and managing stress are important for fertility.
  3. Nutritional Issues: Eating a balanced diet with the right nutrients supports fertility.

If you are having trouble getting pregnant, it might be helpful to talk to a healthcare provider to understand what might be affecting your fertility. You can start by using this free AI symptom checker to help identify potential health concerns that could be impacting your ability to conceive.

(References)

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

  • Skoracka K, Ratajczak AE, Rychter AM, Dobrowolska A, & Krela-Kaźmierczak I. (2021). Female Fertility and the Nutritional Approach: The Most .... Advances in nutrition (Bethesda, Md.), 34139003.

  • Khizroeva J, Nalli C, Bitsadze V, Lojacono A, Zatti S, Andreoli L, et al. (2019). Infertility in women with systemic autoimmune diseases. Best practice & research. Clinical endocrinology & metabolism, 31837981.

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