 Infertility refers to an inability to conceive after having regular unprotected sex.  Infertility can also refer to the biological inability of an individual to contribute to conception, or to a female who cannot carry a pregnancy to full term.  In many countries infertility refers to a couple that has failed to conceive after 12 months of regular sexual intercourse without the use of contraception.  Risk Factors of infertility Risk Factors of infertility  Causes of infertility Causes of infertility

 Age– a woman’s fertility starts to drop after she is about 32 years old, and continues doing so. A 50-year-old man is usually less fertile than a man in his 20s (male fertility progressively drops after the age of 40).  Smoking– smoking significantly increases the risk of infertility in both men and women. Smoking may also undermine the effects of fertility treatment. Even when a woman gets pregnant, if she smokes she has a greater risk of miscarriage.  Alcohol consumption– a woman’s pregnancy can be seriously affected by any amount of alcohol consumption. Alcohol abuse may lower male fertility. Moderate alcohol consumption has not been shown to lower fertility in most men, but is thought to lower fertility in men who already have a low sperm count.

 Being obese or overweight– in industrialized countries overweight/obesity and a sedentary lifestyle are often found to be the principal causes of female infertility. An overweight man has a higher risk of having abnormal sperm.  Eating disorders– women who become seriously underweight as a result of an eating disorder may have fertility problems.  Being vegan– if you are a strict vegan you must make sure your intake of iron, folic acid, zinc and vitamin B-12 are adequate, otherwise your fertility may become affected.  Sexually transmitted infections(STIs) – Chlamydia can damage the Fallopian tubes, as well as making the man’s scrotum become inflamed. Some other STIs may also cause infertility.