A person is considered sterile (infertile) if pregnancy is not apparent after a year of unprotected sex. This condition affects approximately 10 percent to 15 percent of couples in the United States, according to the Mayo Clinic. One or several factors may cause sterility. When the cause is identified, treatment options can be evaluated. Those options may include medication, surgery, fertility drugs or lifestyle modifications.
Male Sterility
Many causes for male sterility exist. The most common causes include irregular sperm production or function, impaired release of sperm, general health and lifestyle issues, and overexposure to particular environmental elements, according to the Mayo Clinic. Abnormal shape or movement of sperm can affect the fertilization process by delaying or hindering it. In addition, low sperm concentration (10 million or fewer per milliliter of semen) can cause sterility. Injuries or harm to the reproductive system can cause sterility by blocking the sperm from expelling. Another common cause of sterility is varicocele, a condition in which a man's veins on his testicles are too large, resulting in heated testicles. The heat can be a problem if it affects the number or shape of the sperm.
Female Sterility
A number of factors can cause sterility in women, as well. Some of the common reasons for sterility in women include abnormal ovulation caused by polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or primary ovarian insufficiency (POI). POI is a result or nonfunctioning ovaries before the age of 40. According to WomensHealth.gov, this condition differs from early menopause.
Lifestyle and Other Factors
Some factors that can cause sterility in both women and men include stress, malnutrition or poor diet, obesity, drugs (both prescription and illicit), medical conditions, and age. Men older than 40 are often less fertile than those of a younger age and women begin to become less fertile after age 35, according to WomensHealth.gov. Other factors that can hinder fertility include smoking and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Many of these obstacles can be overcome with minimal medical intervention or by changing simple habits and replacing them with habits that are more beneficial. Avoiding processed foods, smoking, excessive alcohol and managing stress are simple fixes for increased fertility. In addition, pesticides, lead and other environmental toxins can have a destructive effect on fertility and should be avoided.
