Infertility is a problem that prohibits the body's ability to reproduce, and many people wishing to become parents have to address challenges with their body's fertility. Both men and women are affected by infertility and various factors may play a role in an individual's infertility problems. By definition, women are infertile if they are unable to conceive a child after trying to do so for a year. Women who are over 35 are considered infertile if they have been trying to get pregnant for six months with no success. Women who are unable to maintain a pregnancy may also be considered infertile.

For patients who may be infertile in the Ventura, California area, help is available at a fertility clinic. These specialists have been specially trained in recognizing infertility in couples and helping them find potential solutions to their fertility problems. There may be several options that patients are presented with and a medical professional at a fertility clinic will be able to assist the couple in determining which option may prove most successful for their specific case.

The bodies of either the male, female, or both partners may contribute to the infertility a couple experiences. For men, a common cause of infertility is a condition called azoospermia. This is a condition which causes the individual to produce no sperm cells at all. Another condition which may affect men is oligospermia. This condition causes men to produce too few sperm cells, which can lead to male infertility as well. It's also possible that sperm cells die or are not strong enough to reach the egg.

Patients may also suffer from genetic disorders that may affect their sperm. Cystic fibrosis and chromosomal abnormalities may be the source of male infertility in some cases. Varicocele is a condition in which varicose veins are present in the testicles. This may also affect fertility in men. There are several conditions that may affect a man's ability to reproduce and for a full list, patients should consult a physician.

Men should also be aware that their health and lifestyle may affect their fertility. Smoking cigarettes, drinking heavily, taking drugs, age, certain medications, environmental factors, cancer treatments and various other health problems may play a role in male infertility.

Like men, women may also suffer from a variety of conditions that cause infertility. Ovulation disorder is one of the most common causes of infertility in females. If a woman does not ovulate, then there will be no eggs for fertilization. Possible signs of this disorder may include irregular or absent periods.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome, or PCOS, is another common cause of female infertility. This is a hormone imbalance that women should speak to their doctor about. Other possible causes of female infertility include damaged or blocked fallopian tubes, endometriosis (a condition that may cause scars or cysts to grow on the ovaries or other reproductive organs), problems with the uterus and uterine fibrosis (non-cancerous clusters of muscle or tissue that grows on the uterus walls).

As is true of men, a woman's lifestyle may affect her ability to reproduce as well. Women who are under or over weight, practice poor diet, or have a sexually transmitted disease may suffer from infertility. Many of the same health and lifestyle factors that can lead to infertility in men may also affect women.

Patients in Ventura, California who are concerned with their own fertility should consult a physician specializing in the field. Several treatments exist that may help patients overcome these disorders and conditions. The best way to understand all possible options is to speak with a health care professional at a fertility clinic in the area.