6 Possible Reasons for Unexplained Infertility

When individuals struggle to become pregnant within at least one year of trying, they may consult a specialist for fertility testing.

After standard testing, some people still fail to find a clear cause for their fertility issues. Here are six possible reasons for unexplained infertility:

1. Endometriosis

Endometriosis is the growth of uterine-like tissue outside the uterus. It can grow on fallopian tubes, ovaries, bladder, and kidneys.

Women with endometriosis often struggle to achieve or maintain pregnancy. Endometriosis may present symptoms like heavy periods and pelvic pain or have no symptoms, thereby going undetected.

Silent or asymptomatic endometriosis may be a reason for unexplained infertility. Endometriosis can modify immune system responses and induce hormonal shifts that interfere with egg quality.

The inflammation can immobilize an egg and sperm, preventing fertilization. Endometriosis could also result in scarring in the fallopian tubes and stop the implantation of a fertilized egg.

2. Blocked Fallopian Tubes

Another potential reason for female infertility is damage to or obstruction of the fallopian tubes. Fertilization takes place inside the fallopian tube.

When pelvic inflammatory illness, endometriosis, or tubal litigation damages or blocks the tubes, fertilization cannot occur.

Women with blocked or damaged fallopian tubes may not show any symptoms, so the condition can go undetected during fertility testing.

3. Progesterone Resistance

Progesterone resistance is a disorder that alters the uterine lining adversely and prevents progesterone from doing what it does best — aid in the survival of the embryo.

The endometrium experiences abnormal physiological changes due to the buildup of degraded progesterone and active estrogen effects from one menstrual cycle to the next.

During pregnancy, an embryo attaches itself to and grows inside the endometrium, which is the lining of the uterus. Progesterone resistance results in endometrial-related conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), adenomyosis, endometriosis, and luteal phase defects.

A luteal phase defect is the inability of the endometrium to thicken or prepare for a fertilized egg. An egg cannot be implanted even after fertilization, which means the patient will be unable to become pregnant. 

4. Endometritis

Endometritis is different from endometriosis as it is the persistent inflammation of the endometrium.

The chronic condition could be brought on by uterine microbes causing the reaction in the endometrium without inducing an infection. Inflammation of the uterine wall interferes with implantation, resulting in fertility issues. 

Endometritis has a range of symptoms, from persistent pelvic pain and irregular bleeding between periods to being completely asymptomatic.

Asymptomatic endometritis may go undetected, although advanced fertility testing can help detect this condition.

5. Poor Egg Quality

Fertilization requires a healthy egg and sperm. Poor-quality eggs may not be fertilized, and if they do, there is a high risk of an early miscarriage.

An ultrasound can help determine egg quality through examination of the follicles in the ovary, but it may not provide information on the egg quality.

Lifestyle factors, age, and reproductive health conditions can affect egg quality. Testing for conditions like endometriosis and endometritis helps determine egg quality. 

6. Poor Sperm Quality

Lifestyle factors and genetics can affect the quality of sperm. Poor-quality sperm may not fertilize an egg, and if it does, the resulting embryo may have abnormalities, resulting in a miscarriage. A sperm analysis detects issues such as low sperm count and motility but not sperm quality. 

Identify the Cause of Your Unexplained Infertility

Advanced testing assists in determining the primary causes of unexplained infertility, such as endometriosis, progesterone resistance, and endometritis.

A BCL6 marker detects inflammation of the uterine lining, which is typically linked to asymptomatic endometriosis. Identify the cause of your infertility to increase the likelihood of a healthy pregnancy.