What Are the Most Common Causes of Infertility in Women and Men?

Author: Dr. Kolin Durrant, Integrative Care Director, Doctor of Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine

Infertility affects millions of individuals and couples around the world and is increasingly recognized as a concern that involves both women’s and men’s health. Medically, infertility is defined as the inability to conceive after twelve months of regular, unprotected intercourse, or after 6 months for women over the age of 35. Although infertility is often viewed through the lens of women’s reproductive health, research shows that male factors contribute to approximately 40% to 50% of all cases.

From a holistic perspective, infertility rarely results from a single cause. It is typically the outcome of intersecting hormonal, metabolic, inflammatory, and lifestyle factors that disrupt physical health and reproductive function over time. Understanding these contributors is essential for early intervention, effective care, and sustained reproductive wellbeing.

Infertility Reflects Whole-Body Health

Fertility is not an isolated function of the reproductive organs. It is a reflection of total body health, influenced by hormonal balance, metabolic regulation, immune function, and nervous system integrity. Chronic stress, nutrient deficiencies, systemic inflammation, and environmental toxins can disrupt reproductive signaling long before symptoms become clinically apparent.

Holistic health practitioners recognize infertility as a systems-level concern that signals underlying imbalance. This framework aligns with contemporary research, which increasingly identifies fertility as a barometer of overall vitality.

Common Causes of Infertility in Women

Female infertility is typically multifactorial and often develops gradually. The most common contributors include ovulatory disorders, hormonal disruption, inflammatory conditions, and structural challenges.

Ovulatory Disorders

Irregular or absent ovulation is one of the leading causes of female infertility. Polycystic ovary syndrome, hypothalamic suppression, and thyroid dysfunction all interfere with normal ovulatory patterns. These disorders are often linked to insulin resistance, stress overload, and disrupted hormonal feedback loops. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) alone affects up to 10% of women of reproductive age and is considered a major contributor to infertility worldwide (Infertility, World Health Organization).

Age-Associated Decline

Ovarian reserve and egg quality decline with age, particularly after the mid-thirties. This natural process is accelerated by oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, and impaired cellular repair mechanisms. While age cannot be reversed, holistic healthcare supports egg health and hormonal balance through antioxidant therapy, detoxification support, and metabolic optimization.

Inflammatory Conditions Including Endometriosis

Endometriosis affects an estimated 10 percent of women and is strongly associated with fertility challenges. Chronic inflammation alters pelvic structure, disrupts hormonal regulation, and impedes implantation. Many inflammatory reproductive conditions remain undiagnosed for years, and addressing systemic inflammation is central to improving reproductive outcomes.

Structural and Uterine Factors

Fibroids, congenital uterine anomalies, and scar tissue from past infections or procedures can block or distort reproductive pathways. Even when hormone levels appear normal, these physical changes may prevent implantation or increase miscarriage risk. Early imaging and integrative treatment planning can improve the likelihood of conception.

Common Causes of Infertility in Men

Male fertility is often overlooked, despite sperm health being highly sensitive to overall metabolic function, oxidative stress, and lifestyle choices.

Low Sperm Count and Poor Sperm Quality

Reduced sperm concentration, impaired motility, and abnormal morphology are the most common factors contributing to male infertility. These parameters are heavily influenced by inflammation, nutrient depletion, and hormonal imbalance. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, male factors are involved in nearly half of infertility cases evaluated clinically.

Hormonal Imbalances

Testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone are essential for healthy sperm production. Disruption of these hormones may result from metabolic disease, endocrine disruptors, emotional stress, or sleep deprivation. Holistic practitioners assess these patterns in the context of overall lifestyle and physical resilience.

Environmental and Lifestyle Exposures

Sperm quality is vulnerable to environmental exposures including tobacco, alcohol, excess heat, chemical toxins, and poor diet. These factors contribute to oxidative damage and may compromise sperm DNA integrity, increasing the risk of miscarriage or developmental complications. Holistic care emphasizes detoxification and lifestyle redesign to restore fertility potential.

Shared Causes of Infertility in Women and Men

Certain systemic factors impact fertility regardless of gender and are central to the rising rates of reproductive challenges in modern populations.

Chronic Stress and Nervous System Dysregulation

Sustained stress alters reproductive hormone signaling in both sexes. Elevated cortisol suppresses gonadotropin-releasing hormone, leading to irregular ovulation and decreased sperm production. Holistic therapies such as breathwork, acupuncture, and somatic practices are essential for regulating stress physiology and restoring hormonal rhythm.

Metabolic Dysfunction and Insulin Resistance

Insulin resistance contributes to ovulatory dysfunction in women and reduced testosterone and sperm quality in men. Blood sugar instability also drives inflammation and fatigue. Holistic healthcare addresses metabolic dysfunction through targeted nutrition, movement therapy, and nervous system support, improving both fertility and long-term health.

Nutrient Deficiencies

Key micronutrients such as folate, zinc, selenium, omega-3 fatty acids, and iron are critical for reproductive function. Deficiencies impair sperm motility, egg maturation, and embryo implantation. Functional nutrition is a cornerstone of holistic fertility care, identifying and correcting deficiencies that conventional evaluations may overlook.

How Holistic Healthcare Supports Fertility

Holistic healthcare does not replace medical fertility treatment but serves as a complementary approach that addresses deeper imbalances. Rather than focusing solely on reproductive anatomy or hormone levels, practitioners evaluate stress load, metabolic health, detoxification pathways, and systemic inflammation. These insights create a personalized roadmap for restoring fertility through natural and integrative methods.

In San Diego and similar regions where integrative care is widely accessible, individuals and couples can take proactive steps toward conception while improving total body health.

When to Seek Professional Support

Delaying care or placing blame often compounds the emotional and physical toll of infertility. Early assessment of both partners increases the chances of success and offers clarity during a complex and vulnerable time.

Holistic care provides a nonjudgmental, whole-person framework that supports fertility and general wellbeing. Whether preparing for natural conception or undergoing assisted reproductive therapy, integrative support enhances the likelihood of positive outcomes.

Infertility Reflects Whole-Body Health

Infertility is rarely a singular problem. It is more accurately understood as the result of cumulative imbalance in hormones, immune regulation, metabolism, and emotional health. By understanding the most common causes of infertility across both sexes, early intervention becomes possible, and long-term vitality is preserved.

Fertility is not separate from the rest of the body. It is deeply interconnected with how we eat, move, recover, and regulate stress. Addressing the full picture not only improves the chances of conception but strengthens the foundation of lifelong health.

Holistic Fertility Support at Saffron & Sage

Saffron & Sage provides integrative healthcare designed to support fertility through root-cause evaluation, preventative care, and individualized therapy. Our team of holistic health practitioners works collaboratively to support women, men, and couples navigating fertility challenges with care, expertise, and compassion.

If you are exploring fertility support or planning for future conception, we are here to guide your journey toward reproductive and whole-body wellness.

Call 619-933-2340 to learn more or to schedule a consultation at Saffron & Sage in San Diego.