What Causes Difficulty Conceiving Children?
In order to hopefully treat and prevent recurrence of difficulty conceiving children we need to understand and — if possible — remove the underlying causes and risk factors. We need to ask: "What else is going on inside the body that might allow difficulty conceiving children to develop?"
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Accurate diagnosis of the factors behind difficulty conceiving children consists of three steps:
Step 1: List the Possible Causative Factors
Identify all disease conditions, lifestyle choices and environmental risk factors that can lead to difficulty conceiving children. Here are eight of many possibilities (more below):
- Chlamydia
- Manganese Need
- High Cortisol Levels
- Increased Folic Acid Need
- Low Progesterone
- Vitamin A Need
- Hormone Imbalance
- Endometriosis
Step 2: Build a Symptom Checklist
Identify all possible symptoms and risk factors of each possible cause, and check the ones that apply:
frequent hangnails
much reduced sense of taste
slight abdominal distension
severe leg cramps caused by walking
slow scalp hair growth
reduced sense of smell
irritability related to cycle
elevated basophil count
early puberty onset
endometriosis
non-human estrogen use
cracked skin
frequent hangnails much reduced sense of taste slight abdominal distension severe leg cramps caused by walking slow scalp hair growth reduced sense of smell irritability related to cycle elevated basophil count early puberty onset endometriosis non-human estrogen use cracked skin... and more than 50 others
Step 3: Rule Out or Confirm each Possible Cause
A differential diagnosis of your symptoms and risk factors finds the likely cause of difficulty conceiving children:
| Cause | Probability | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Increased Folic Acid Need | 92% | Confirm |
| Low Progesterone | 25% | Unlikely |
| Chlamydia | 13% | Unlikely |
| Hormone Imbalance | 4% | Ruled out |
| Endometriosis | 4% | Ruled out |
| Manganese Need | 2% | Ruled out |
| Vitamin A Need | 0% | Ruled out |
| High Cortisol Levels | 0% | Ruled out |
* This is a simple example to illustrate the process
Arriving at a Correct Diagnosis
The Analyst™ is our online diagnosis tool that learns all about you through a straightforward process of multi-level questioning, providing diagnosis at the end.
In the Reproductive Symptoms section of the questionnaire, The Analyst™ will ask the following question about difficulty conceiving children:
|
When you have tried, how difficult in general has it been for you to conceive children?
Possible responses:
→ Not applicable / I have not tried / don't know→ It has not been difficult → There was some difficulty → It was very difficult → I am infertile / unable to have children |
Brain Tumor
In very rare cases, a brain tumor can cause infertility.
Endometriosis
It has been estimated that some 25-50% of infertile women suffer from endometriosis. The cause of infertility is believed to result from the scarring and adhesions that form in the reproductive tract as a result of inflammation. Scar tissue and adhesions may reduce fertility by either obstructing or distorting the shape of the fallopian tubes, which in turn impedes the passage of sperm to the egg. In the event that sperm do reach the egg, they may encounter a hostile environment unfavorable to fertilization. Finally, scarring from endometriosis may obstruct the fallopian tubes so that if an egg is fertilized, it may be unable to travel to the uterus for implantation.
Folic Acid Deficiency
Folic acid deficiency can lead to infertility.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism in women sometimes causes ovarian problems; ovulation may become less frequent or disappear altogether.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
Impaired fertility is a prominent feature of PCOS. This is believed to result from elevated insulin levels that stimulate excess androgen production by the ovaries. The androgens cause premature follicular wasting which causes inconsistent or absent ovulation, which in turn is associated with infertility.
Vitamin A Requirement
Vitamin A is involved in steroid hormone synthesis and cell differentiation. It is important for healthy growth, normal reproduction and lactation.
Anorexia / Starvation Tendency
Anorexia or starvation causes difficulties in conceiving and carrying a baby to term.
Elevated Cortisol Levels
Chronically elevated cortisol levels can stop a woman from ovulating and may lead to infertility.
Fibroids
Submucous fibroids are the type that most commonly cause significant problems; even small tumors located in or bulging into the uterine cavity may cause heavy bleeding, anemia, pain, infertility or miscarriage.
STD Chlamydia
As many as 40% of women with untreated chlamydia will develop pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Undiagnosed PID caused by chlamydia is common, resulting in a 20% infertility rate.
STD Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea can spread into the womb and fallopian tubes, resulting in pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). PID affects more than 1 million women in the United States every year and can cause infertility and tubal pregnancy.
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Last updated: May 25, 2023