Hereditary or genetic abnormalities or conditions, individual behavior, diseases or their treatments, environmental exposure, and stress can all contribute to infertility.
Physical blockage or abnormal structure prevents egg or sperm from normal movement, migration and/or implantation, including: undescended testes, variocele (mass of enlarged veins in the spermatic cord leading to the testicles), testicular atrophy, physical injury, congenital abnormalities, malformed egg or sperm or ectopic pregnancy.
Chemical toxicity damages or destroys egg or sperm, the reproductive fluids, or the lining of the uterus, including the effects of prescription, over-the-counter and recreational drugs, anti-hypertensives, antihistamines, anti-inflammatories, nicotine, marijuana, cocaine and alcohol.
Environmental conditions damage or destroy egg or sperm, including radiation exposure, toxins and excessive heat (including tight underwear).
Diseases and the immune responses to them, including prolonged fever, sexually transmitted diseases (gonorrhea and chlamydia are the two most frequent causes of STD-related infertility), endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, a woman's production of antibodies against her partner's sperm, and a male's production of antibodies against his own sperm.
Psychological and physical stress can suppress egg and sperm production and slow or stop menstruation, including malnutrition and lack of sleep.
Unknown causes are responsible for about a third of all cases of infertility.
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