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Struggling to conceive? Conditions that could be affecting your fertility
Written byMedico Digital
Reviewed byDr Shazia Malik
Are fertility issues keeping you up at night? You’re far from alone. Knowledge is power, so let’s uncover the health conditions that may affect fertility in men and women
Summary
1Which conditions could affect fertility?
Infertility affects both men and women and may happen for various reasons, such as problems with testicular health or ovulation...
2Conditions that can affect fertility in women
Some health conditions can affect how easy it is to get pregnant. Better understanding them can help...
3Fertility after pregnancy loss
It takes courage to try again after a pregnancy loss, and it’s completely OK to take things at your own pace...
Struggling to conceive can be worrying and confusing. If you’re experiencing fertility issues, it’s important to know you’re not alone.1
‘Infertility’, defined as not being able to conceive after a year or more of regular, unprotected sex, is more common than you think.2 In fact, the World Health Organisation estimates that infertility impacts around 17.5% of adults worldwide – that’s roughly one in six people – at some point in their lives.1
Let’s dive in and explore the most common fertility issues affecting both men and women, so you can take an informed next step in your fertility journey.
Conditions that affect fertility
Infertility affects both men and women and may happen for various reasons. In some cases, the cause can be found, while in others, it remains unexplained. Data published by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) shows that infertility in the UK can be caused by several factors:3
- male concerns, such as problems with testicular health or sperm quality, account for 30% of cases
- ovulation disorders, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), make up 25%
- damage to the fallopian tubes, often due to conditions like pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) or endometriosis, contributes to 20%
- uterine or peritoneal disorders are responsible for 10% of cases
In 40% of cases, both partners may have fertility issues, and in 25%, no clear cause can be identified.3
Male fertility and health conditions that can affect it
So, the evidence shows that male fertility issues contribute to a significant number of infertility cases in the UK.3 But what exactly are these issues? Let’s take a closer look.
The most common problems leading to infertility in men are connected to how the testicles work. Others are related to hormone imbalances or blockages in the male reproductive organs.4 For example:3
- testicular problems may occur due to undescended testicles, testicular trauma, infections or genetic conditions
- blockages in the reproductive system, which can prevent sperm release, may result from congenital problems, infections or previous surgeries
- difficulties with ejaculation and maintaining an erection can be linked to psychological factors, hormonal imbalances or lifestyle choices
- issues with sperm quality, such as low sperm count, irregular shape or poor movement, can be related to various factors. For example, lifestyle factors like drinking too much alcohol, taking drugs, smoking or environmental influences like air pollution, exposure to harmful chemicals or excessive heat 5,6
If you're concerned about fertility, reach out to your doctor – early support can make a big difference and many solutions are available to help you move forward.5
Common conditions that can affect female fertility
Some health conditions can affect how easy it is to get pregnant. Understanding what these conditions are and how they affect fertility can help you take confident next steps.
In some women, the brain, pituitary gland and ovaries don't communicate effectively with each other, a process known as the ‘hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis’. PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) is a common condition that impacts the menstrual cycle and is often linked to this disruption.3,7
PCOS causes imbalances in hormones, irregular periods, high androgen (hormones that give men their ‘male’ characteristics) levels and affects the eggs in the ovaries. Those irregular periods, often linked with a lack of ovulation, can make it difficult to conceive.8
Although there’s no cure for PCOS, there are lifestyle changes and medications that can help to improve symptoms and balance the hormones, and fertility treatments or even surgical procedures that can stimulate regular ovulation.7,8
If your doctor finds polycystic ovaries on an ultrasound scan, it doesn’t necessarily mean you have PCOS and they often might not cause issues at all.9
It’s important to know that with treatment, and often with lifestyle changes alone, most people with PCOS are able to become pregnant.7
Sometimes, the ovaries may stop working altogether, a condition referred to as ‘ovarian failure’.
Or, your pituitary gland, which helps regulate hormones, may not work properly. Sometimes, this can happen if you're underweight or engage in intense exercise.3
Endometriosis is a condition where cells like the ones in your womb lining start growing in other parts of the body.10
Endometriosis can affect your chances of getting pregnant, but the exact link to infertility isn’t well understood. That said, many people with mild to moderate endometriosis can conceive naturally. In people with more severe endometriosis, conception can be more difficult. The chances of conceiving may also be impacted by where endometriosis is in the body.11
For example, NICE says that having endometrial tissue outside the womb can cause a blockage of the fallopian tubes. Endometriosis may also lead to infertility by producing cytokines (proteins that help control inflammation in the body) that may be toxic to sperm or fertilised embryos.3
There’s also growing evidence that a condition called adenomyosis may have an impact on female fertility. Adenomyosis happens when the lining of the womb grows into the muscle wall of the womb.12
If you're worried about any of these conditions, speak to your doctor – there are many solutions out there to help you move forward.5
Issues like fibroids (non-cancerous growths), scar tissue in the womb lining or polyps (small overgrowths of tissue) in the uterus can also affect fertility in women.3
Fallopian tube damage can happen as a result of pelvic infections, such as PID (often as a result of STIs such as chlamydia), as well as with conditions like endometriosis.3
The risk of fallopian tube damage increases with repeated infections, and in some cases, can lead to a complication called ectopic pregnancy, where the fertilised egg implants outside the uterus.3 Ectopic pregnancy can be serious, so it’s important to get medical advice immediately if you have any signs of this. Check out the NHS guide for more information on ectopic pregnancy symptoms.
Fertility after pregnancy loss
You may be thinking about trying for a baby after pregnancy loss. This is a big and emotional step to take, and it’s natural to have a lot of questions.
Here are some things to think about if you’re considering trying to get pregnant again.
After a miscarriage, it’s important to give yourself time to heal and to wait until any pain or bleeding has stopped before having sex. Your body needs time, and it’s completely OK to take things at your own pace. It takes courage to try again after a pregnancy loss, and you may find it helpful to have some counselling or support from organisations like the Miscarriage Association.
Typically, your period will return about four to six weeks after a miscarriage, though it’s possible to be fertile even before your first period.13
Being emotionally ready to conceive is as important as being physically ready. If you’ve had one miscarriage, you may not have a follow-up appointment, but you can ask to speak with your GP anyway.13
If you’re thinking about conceiving after an ectopic pregnancy, it’s usually advised to wait until you’ve had at least two periods, or three to six months, if you were treated with a medication called methotrexate.13 It’s also important to have an early ultrasound scan in pregnancy if you’ve suffered a previous ectopic pregnancy to make sure that this pregnancy is correctly located in the womb.
Remember to listen to your body and consult your doctor to ensure you’re ready for this next step.
It’s important to know that having an abortion doesn’t impact your ability to become pregnant again or to have normal pregnancies in the future.14
Pregnancy can happen soon after abortion, so if you’re not ready to conceive again, it’s a good idea to start using contraception as soon as possible. Your abortion provider should discuss contraception with you so that you can plan going forward.
If you have any concerns before or after an abortion, don’t hesitate to get in touch with your GP or an abortion advice service for support and guidance.14
Your fertility: other things to think about
While medical conditions play a significant role, there are other factors that can also impact fertility:5
- age: as you get older, fertility naturally declines
- weight: being overweight or obese (having a BMI of 30 or higher) can lower your chances of conceiving, as can being underweight as this can stop you ovulating
- sexually transmitted infections: infections like chlamydia can affect fertility, for example by damaging fallopian tubes
- smoking: smoking, including being exposed to second-hand smoke, can reduce fertility in both men and women
- alcohol: drinking too much alcohol can affect sperm quality. Experts recommend drinking no more than 14 units of alcohol a week, spread over at least three days, although it’s considered best to abstain if you’re actively trying to conceive
- environmental factors: exposure to some pesticides, solvents and metals may affect fertility, especially in men
- stress: high stress may lead to a loss of sex drive and, in some cases, affect ovulation and sperm production
The final say
Navigating fertility issues can be difficult, but understanding the common conditions that affect fertility might bring some clarity and hope.
For example, conditions like PCOS, endometriosis and adenomyosis may all play a role in female infertility. For men, testicular problems or low sperm count could make a difference.3
Recognising these conditions with the support of your doctor could empower you to make informed decisions and explore potential treatments on your fertility journey.
Wondering exactly how long it takes to conceive? Explore the factors that can influence pregnancy in our article on typical conception timelines.
Disclaimer - This article provides informational advice and is not a substitute for medical care. Curated by experts for accuracy, we take great care to ensure the information is up-to-date and relevant. However, you should always consult your GP or healthcare professional before using supplements or alternative products, particularly if you have medical conditions or are under supervision.
1. World Health Organisation (WHO). Infertility prevalence estimates, 1990-2021 [Internet]. WHO [cited 2025 Sep 4]. Available from: https://iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/366700/9789240068315-eng.pdf?sequence=1
2. WHO. Infertility [Internet]. [cited 2024 Nov 18]. Available from: https://www.who.int/health-topics/infertility
3. NICE. What are the causes of infertility? [Internet]. [cited 2024 Nov 18]. Available from: https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/infertility/background-information/causes/
4. NIH. How common is male infertility, and what are the causes? [Internet]. [cited 2024 Nov 18]. Available from: https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/menshealth/conditioninfo/infertility#f5
5. NHS. Overview, infertility [Internet]. [cited 2024 Nov 18]. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/infertility/
6. Kumar N, Singh A. Impact of environmental factors on human semen quality and male fertility: a narrative review. Environ Sci Eur 2022; 34(6). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12302-021-00585-w
7. NHS. Overview, polycystic ovary syndrome [Internet]. [cited 2024 Nov 18]. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/polycystic-ovary-syndrome-pcos/
8. WHO. Polycystic ovary syndrome [Internet]. [cited 2024 Nov 18]. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/polycystic-ovary-syndrome
9. RCOG. Polycystic ovary syndrome: what it means for your long-term health [Internet]. [cited 2024 Nov 18]. Available from: https://www.rcog.org.uk/for-the-public/browse-our-patient-information/polycystic-ovary-syndrome-pcos-what-it-means-for-your-long-term-health/
10. NHS. Overview, endometriosis [Internet]. [cited 2024 Nov 18]. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/endometriosis/
11. Tommy’s. How does endometriosis affect fertility? [Internet]. [cited 2024 Nov 18]. Available from: https://www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/planning-a-pregnancy/fertility-and-causes-of-infertility/how-does-endometriosis-affect-fertility
12. Pados G, et al. Adenomyosis and Infertility: A Literature Review. Medicina. 2023; 59(9):1551. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina59091551
13. Tommy’s. Getting pregnant after miscarriage, ectopic or molar pregnancy [Internet]. [cited 2024 Nov 18]. Available from: https://www.tommys.org/baby-loss-support/miscarriage-information-and-support/pregnancy-after-miscarriage/getting-pregnant-after-miscarriage
14. NHS. Risks, abortion [Internet]. [cited 2024 Nov 18]. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/abortion/risks/
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