Editing Infertility (section)

===Females===
{{Further|Female infertility}}
The following causes of infertility may only be found in females.
For a woman to conceive, certain things have to happen: vaginal intercourse must take place around the time when an egg is released from her ovary; the system that produces eggs has to be working at optimum levels; and her hormones must be balanced.<ref>{{cite web | url =http://www.hfea.gov.uk/en/802.html | title = About infertility & fertility problems | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080829125837/http://www.hfea.gov.uk/en/802.html |archive-date=29 August 2008 | work = [[Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority]] }}</ref>

For women, problems with fertilization arise mainly from either structural problems in the [[fallopian tube]] or uterus or problems releasing eggs. Infertility may be caused by blockage of the fallopian tube due to malformations, infections such as chlamydia, or scar tissue. For example, [[endometriosis]] can cause infertility with the growth of endometrial tissue in the fallopian tubes or around the ovaries. Endometriosis is usually more common in women in their mid-twenties and older, especially when postponed childbirth has taken place.<ref name="Lessey">{{cite journal | vauthors = Lessey BA | title = Medical management of endometriosis and infertility | journal = Fertility and Sterility | volume = 73 | issue = 6 | pages = 1089–96 | date = June 2000 | pmid = 10856462 | doi = 10.1016/s0015-0282(00)00519-7 | doi-access = free }}</ref>

Another major cause of infertility in women may be the inability to [[ovulate]]. Ovulatory disorders make up 25% of the known causes of female infertility. Oligo-ovulation or anovulation results in infertility because no oocyte will be released monthly. In the absence of an oocyte, there is no opportunity for fertilization and pregnancy. The World Health Organization subdivided ovulatory disorders into four classes:
* Hypogonadotropic hypogonadal anovulation: i.e., hypothalamic amenorrhea
* Normogonadotropic normoestrogenic anovulation: i.e., polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
* Hypergonadotropic hypoestrogenic anovulation: i.e., premature ovarian failure
* Hyperprolactinemic anovulation: i.e., pituitary adenoma<ref>{{cite book | vauthors = Walker MH, Tobler KJ | chapter = Female Infertility | date = March 2020 | title = StatPearls [Internet]. | location = Treasure Island (FL) | publisher = StatPearls Publishing | pmid = 32310493 | chapter-url = https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK556033/}}</ref>

Malformation of the eggs themselves may complicate conception. For example, [[polycystic ovarian syndrome]] (PCOS) is when the eggs only partially develop within the ovary, and there is an excess of male hormones. Some women are infertile because their ovaries do not mature and release eggs. In this case, synthetic FSH by injection or Clomid (Clomiphene citrate) via a pill can be given to stimulate follicles to mature in the ovaries.{{citation needed|date=April 2023}}

Other factors that can affect a woman's chances of conceiving include being overweight or underweight, or her age as female fertility declines after the age of 30.<ref>{{cite web | title = Female Infertility | publisher = Mayo Clinic | url = https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/female-infertility/symptoms-causes/syc-20354308 | access-date = 21 September 2020 | archive-date = 24 September 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200924191639/https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/female-infertility/symptoms-causes/syc-20354308 | url-status = live }}</ref>

Sometimes it can be a combination of factors, and sometimes a clear cause is never established.

Common causes of infertility in females include:
* ovulation problems (e.g., PCOS, the leading reason why women present to fertility clinics due to anovulatory infertility<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Balen AH, Dresner M, Scott EM, Drife JO | title = Should obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome receive treatment for infertility? | journal = BMJ | volume = 332 | issue = 7539 | pages = 434–435 | date = February 2006 | pmid = 16497735 | pmc = 1382524 | doi = 10.1136/bmj.332.7539.434 }}</ref>)
* tubal blockage
* [[pelvic inflammatory disease]] caused by infections like [[tuberculosis]]
* age-related factors
* uterine problems
* previous [[tubal ligation]]
* [[endometriosis]]
* [[advanced maternal age]]
* immune infertility