For women - general factors that can affect the ability to ovulate, conceive, or deliver a child successfully include the following:
- age - women in their late 30s are about 30 percent less fertile than women in their early 20s
- chronic diseases (diabetes, lupus, arthritis, hypertension, or asthma)
- environmental factors - cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, or exposure to workplace hazards or toxins
- excessive or very low body fat
- abnormal Pap smears that have been treated with cryosurgery or cone biopsy
- DES taken by mother during pregnancy
- sexually transmitted diseases
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For men - infertility is not just a woman's problem. Following, is a list of risk factors related to male infertility:
- history of prostatitis, genital infection, or sexually transmitted diseases
- exposure to hazards on the job or toxic substances such as radiation, radioactivity, welding, and many chemicals, including lead, ethylene dibromine, and vinyl chloride.
- cigarette or marijuana smoke
- heavy alcohol consumption
- exposure of the genitals to high temperatures
- prescription drugs for ulcers or psoriasis
- DES taken by mother during pregnancy
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