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Exploring Causes of Infertility in Women

Last updated on 5 January 2026 by Brisbane Livewell Clinic Editorial Team

Here Are Some Causes of Infertility Issuers for Women

Infertility is defined “as not being able to get pregnant (conceive) after one year (or longer) of unprotected sex”. Although Infertility can be an issue for men too, it is more common among women. It affects about 1 in 6 couples of reproductive age in Australia. For a woman to become pregnant, she needs functioning ovaries, fallopian tubes and a uterus. Problems with any of these organs can cause Infertility Issues for women. Let’s take a look at some of the causes:

Woman holding pregnancy test. Infertility Issues for Women. Brisbane Livewell Clinic

Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a condition that occurs when the tissue from the uterine wall comes out of the uterus. The tissue comes out on a membrane lining in the abdominal cavity, known as peritoneum. Some of the symptoms include painful menstrual periods, bleeding and pelvic pain.

Ovulation Problems

Ovulation is the process in which a woman’s ovaries release eggs. Issues with ovulation are the most common cause of female infertility. Irregular periods, absence of periods, menstrual bleeding, etc., are some symptoms of problems with ovulation.

Blocked Fallopian Tubes

Although not a very common condition, blocked fallopian tubes can also be a cause of infertility among women. When fallopian tubes are blocked, they prevent the egg from reaching the uterus. Some of the common causes of this condition include pelvic inflammatory disease, endometriosis and past surgeries of ectopic pregnancy.

Poor Egg Quality

As women age, their bodies start producing fewer eggs during menstrual cycles. Not only that, the quality of these eggs deteriorates as well. This is the reason that after 40, the chances of women getting pregnant reduce considerably. Other factors that might affect egg quality include diet, stress, lifestyle habits, etc.

Uterine Issues

Issues with a woman’s uterus can also prevent a woman from getting pregnant. Abnormal shape of the uterus and presence of fibroids are two factors that might make a uterus unsuitable for conception.

Woman sits while deep in thought. Infertility Issues for Women. PCOS. Brisbane Livewell Clinic

Some ways to reduce the chances of Infertility

When genetic issues cause infertility issues for women, there’s probably nothing anybody can do about it. However, there are some things that women can do to improve their chances of fertility:

  • Avoid the use of illicit drugs.
  • Do not engage in frequent alcohol use.
  • Adopt healthy hygiene and eating habits
  • Avoid gaining too much unhealthy weight
Portrait of a smiling woman on the street. Infertility Issues for Women. Food Allergy Testing. Naturopath Women's Health. Facts About Holistic Counselling. Brisbane Livewell Clinic

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Authors & Reviewers

Written by the Brisbane Livewell Clinic Editorial Team

Written by the Brisbane Livewell Clinic Editorial Team in accordance with our Editorial Policy and Content Standards.

Reviewed by Our Practitioners

Expert Review by our qualified Practitioners at Brisbane Livewell Clinic (Wavell Heights) and Brisbane Livewell Clinic (Cannon Hill). Our articles are reviewed for accuracy, AHPRA compliance (for Allied Health Services) and alignment with current evidence and best practice under our Editorial Policy and Content Standards.