For women and couples trying to conceive, here?s a sobering fact: one out of every six couples with struggle with infertility issues. While that number might seem frightening at first, many women also take comfort in the fact that they aren?t the only one struggling to conceive. In fact, because infertility is such a widespread problem, that?s led to a large number of researchers and doctors developing exciting new treatments to help women conceive, like in vitro fertilization.
Today, assistive reproductive technology is a growing field, with a diverse range of treatment options for couples to choose from. One reason there are so many different types of treatment? The causes of infertility in women vary widely from person to person.
Understanding the Causes of Infertility in Women
While one in six couples struggles to get pregnant, another 11% of couples struggle with secondary infertility. This means that a couple who has already had a child suddenly finds that it?s no longer easy to conceive naturally.
While there are many causes of infertility in women, there?s one risk factor we all have in common: time. As men and women age, the risk of infertility goes up. The mean age for women going through the first stages of menopause is 51, with most women beginning menopause sometime between the ages of 40 and 58. But time and menopause are just a few of the reasons.
Infertility problems can also be caused by things like:

• Smoking just five cigarettes daily can increase infertility rates for both women and men.
• Eating disorders like bulimia and anorexia nervosa
• Drug and alcohol addiction
• Obesity
• Excessive or dangerous amounts of exercise
• Stress

The 3 Types of Infertility Issues
The causes of infertility in women can be separated into three categories: ovulation issues, damage to Fallopian tubes and/or the uterus, and problems with the cervix.
Women looking for menopause solutions, infertility solutions, and more detailed womens health information should contact a reproductive doctor near them. Although there are no guarantees, in life or in medicine, there is always hope for couples who have hit a speed bump on their road to starting a family.