What are the Most Common Causes of Unexplained Infertility?

When a couple is having trouble conceiving a child, they oftentimes will seek the advice and assistance of an infertility specialist to find the underlying problem. Doctors often check for endometriosis and other common disorders of the woman's reproductive system. They may also analyze the production and mobility of the man's sperm to determine if any typical abnormalities are discovered. When tests reveal normal results, a diagnosis of unexplained infertility may be declared. In these instances, the cause may actually be due to a rare genetic trait, various reproductive system anomalies, and sometimes, diet or psychological factors are to blame.

A person's lifestyle can sometimes be the cause of unexplained infertility. Recreational or prescription drug use, caffeine intake and alcohol consumption can often affect the likelihood of conceiving. A history of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) may also be a factor, especially when infection is present. These lifestyle issues and prior indiscretions can affect both men and women. It is important that couples are honest with medical professionals so that the source of the problem can be determined, and in some cases, corrected.

When a couple has trouble conceiving, it is advised that both the man and woman be examined for possible causes. When men are tested, results may reveal limited mobility of sperm or low sperm production as a result of various testicular disorders, genetics, or scar tissue that blocks the flow of ejaculation. Women sometimes discover that the reason of unexplained infertility is actually due to endometriosis, a blocked fallopian tube, uterine fibroids or other conditions relating to the reproductive organs. Many times, simple procedures can correct these issues and the couple is then able to conceive.

Endometriosis, for example, is a condition whereby the endometrial cells of the uterus migrate to other areas of the pelvic cavity. These endometrial implants can sometimes block fallopian tubes or create adhesions. Most women are not even aware that they have this condition until they undergo exploratory laparoscopic surgery. When endometriosis is the cause for unexplained infertility, the surgeon can usually perform an ablation procedure to remove the excess tissue.

Usually, specialists rule out the most common reproductive disorders before making a diagnosis of unexplained infertility, however. Rare anomalies may be more difficult to discover. Meticulous testing and evaluation of the woman's fallopian tubes, ovaries, eggs and uterine lining may yield results that lead to a finding other than unexplained infertility. Once the source of the problem is identified, doctors can make recommendations to increase a couple's chances of conceiving.