Many people believe that infertility is all in the head. Nothing could be further from the truth. Most causes for infertility have medical roots in the reproductive systems of the man or the woman or can be a combination of problems from both. To get a better understanding of how this can happen, let's look at some of those common causes for infertility.

Infertility Problems in Men

In men, the most common causes for infertility are sperm disorders. These problems include:

1. Low sperm count.

This is probably the most common of the causes for infertility in men. Sperm are very fragile and most don't make their trip through the woman's system. This is why most men produce millions of them at a time. However, the less a man produces, the less chances he'll have to be able to impregnate a woman.

To get an accurate sperm count, a man has to be tested at a doctor's office. Contrary to the once popular belief, the amount of ejaculate or size of a man's genital organs have nothing to do with actual sperm count.

Certain lifestyles choices, like increased alcohol intake and smoking, can have a negative effect on sperm count and are some of the most common causes for infertility. Age is also a determining factor as men who are 40 or older often have decreased fertility.

2. Low sperm motility (the ability to move spontaneously and independently)

This is also one of the most common causes for infertility in men. This problem is commonly referred to as "slow" or "sluggish" sperm. The sperm do not move as well as they should and so do not make the entire journey through a woman's system in order to fertilize the egg.

Infertility Problems in Women

There are many causes for infertility and reproductive issues for women. They range from the simple to the very complicated. Here are the most common:

1. Anovulation.

This refers to a lack of ovulation (a release of eggs from the ovary.) The major cause of anovulation is a condition called polycystic ovary disease or PCOS. This is the most common of the causes for infertility in women.

2. The fallopian tubes and endometriosis.

Another of the causes for infertility in women is the inability of the fallopian tubes to carry eggs from the ovary to the uterus. This is usually due to scar tissue or a condition called endometriosis. Endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus (the endometrial stroma and glands, which should only be located inside the uterus) is found elsewhere in the body. Endometriosis lesions can be found anywhere in the pelvic cavity: on the ovaries, the fallopian tubes, and on the pelvic sidewall.

For Both Men and Women

1. Age is one of the major causes for infertility in both men and women. In men the sperm count drops after age 40. In women, fertility declines with age, and even more so after the age of 35. Conception after age 45 is possible but rare.

2. Obesity is also one of the causes for infertility for both men and woman. Many studies have also begun to link a man's excessive body weight with his inability to produce healthy sperm. Cholesterol is damaging to his sperm count and breaks down the health of the sperm that is present.

There are many causes for infertility in men and women. A doctor can determine whether yours is possible to treat yourself, such as giving up smoking, or requires medical attention.

To learn more about infertility and ways to increase your odds of conception, visit http://www.youcanconceive.com While there be sure to sign-up for your free 10-part mini-course explaining the facts about infertility and possible solutions and download your free report "It is not all in your head! The Real Truth about Stress and Infertility. For help beating one of the biggest preventable causes for infertility, smoking, visit http://www.stopsmokingthistime.com and sign up for the free 10-part stop smoking mini-course. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mark_Hester