Subfertility may arise due to either male and/or female factors. Male factors include problems with sperm production, function, and delivery, which are all important factors to fertilise the egg.
These are several factors which may increase the risk of subfertility:
- Age (female >35 years old, male >40 years old)
- Smoking or excessive alcohol use
- Overweight or underweight
- Excessive stress (e.g. physical, emotional, psychological)
- Varicocele (dilatation of veins in the scrotum)
- Recurrent reproductive tract infections
- Exposure to radiation, toxins, and certain medications
- Cancer and its treatment
- Genetic defects
If female factors are suspected, we can refer you to our gynaecology colleagues for further assessment.
