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Female Infertility: Key Causes and Insights for Clinicians

Female infertility is a multifaceted challenge, with key causes ranging from ovulatory disorders and tubal factors to lifestyle and environmental influences. This quick reference guide outlines the primary causes of infertility in women, providing clinicians with a clear understanding to aid in diagnosis and initial management. By recognizing these core contributors and adopting an evidence-based approach, healthcare providers can make informed decisions and determine when specialist referral is essential for optimizing patient outcomes.



Causes of Female Infertility

Category Description Examples
Ovulatory Disorders Conditions affecting the release of eggs from the ovaries, responsible for ~25-40% of infertility cases. - Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
- Hypothalamic Dysfunction (due to stress, weight changes, etc.)
- Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI)
- Hyperprolactinemia (high prolactin levels)
Tubal Factors Blockage or damage to the fallopian tubes, preventing sperm and egg from meeting, accounts for ~15-20% of cases. - Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
- Previous surgeries causing adhesions
- Congenital tubal abnormalities
Endometriosis Growth of endometrial-like tissue outside the uterus, causing inflammation, adhesions, and anatomical distortions. - Pelvic adhesions
- Tubal blockages
- Ovulatory dysfunction due to endometrial lesions
Uterine and Cervical Factors Issues with the structure or function of the uterus or cervix that interfere with...

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