Tag Archives: causes of infertility

What is a Luteal Phase Defect?

The luteal phase of your cycle is the time from ovulation until your menstrual period begins. The normal length of the luteal phase is 14 days, in a 28 day cycle. Women with a luteal phase defect have a much shorter phase, often ten days or less. If you manage to conceive, the much wanted pregnancy ends in miscarriage. Low progesterone level is thought to be the cause of a luteal phase defect. There are a few causes of low progesterone. A low level of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) can result in poor follicle development. This causes the body to … Continue reading →

The Effect of Stress on Fertility

Infertility is a major life event for nearly all couples who experience it. As the months slip by without a baby, the disappointment is devastating. The six years my husband and I spent trying to conceive our first baby remains the most stressful period of my entire life. In most cases, stress does not cause infertility or make it worse. Your mother, friends and grandmother keep telling you to relax and you’ll get pregnant. Although this is meant to be helpful, it can make you feel more stressed and even blame yourself. This is not productive and not true. If … Continue reading →

Dealing with Unexplained Infertility

Infertility is defined as having unprotected sex for one year without conceiving. For women over the age of thirty five, this diagnosis comes after six months. Once you visit the doctor, a variety of tests will be performed to try to determine why you aren’t getting pregnant. For between fifteen and twenty five percent of women, there are no concrete answers. This is known as unexplained infertility. Unexplained infertility is particularly frustrating because there is no good answer to why it is happening. This makes treating these women more difficult. In most cases, the cause is determined and treatment is … Continue reading →

Smoking and Infertility

Studies have shown a link between smoking cigarettes and infertility. A study done by the British Medical Association showed that women who smoke had a 40% lower chance of successfully conceiving than non smoking women. Researchers are not sure exactly how smoking interferes with a woman’s ability to get pregnant. There are a few theories, but no concrete proof. One theory is that some of the chemicals in cigarette smoke can interfere with the quality of the eggs. Another theory suggests that smoking interferes with the eggs being released during ovulation. It’s not only women that are affected. Smoking may … Continue reading →