DR. HEATHER DRAEGER: The 411 on infertility

Take charge of your reproductive health and boost your pregnancy odds by learning more about infertility.

An estimated 12.1 percent of American couples are affected by infertility, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines as failure to conceive within one year of trying.

While age often takes the blame for infertility, your lifestyle also might contribute.

Examining the risks

Many of the same lifestyle factors, including obesity, eating a poor diet and drinking large amounts of alcohol, that influence your likelihood of developing illnesses affect your infertility risk.

To improve your odds of conceiving, watch your weight. Losing as little as 5 percent of your body weight, if you are overweight, can make a difference.

Exercise for 30 minutes most days of the week and limit your caffeine consumption to no more than one cup of coffee per day. Avoid smoking, which can cause both male and female infertility, and stop drinking alcohol, especially if you're actively trying to conceive. Babies are more likely to develop birth defects if moms-to-be drink during early pregnancy.

If these lifestyle measures fail to make a difference in your results, you might be a candidate for infertility treatments, which range from medication to advanced reproductive technologies.

If you are younger than age 35 and have been trying to get pregnant for one year or are older than age 35 and have been trying for at least six months, see your doctor.

When illness is to blame

While lifestyle factors can cause infertility, certain medical conditions also play a role. Take a look at a few of the contributing disorders:

Polycystic ovary syndrome: A hormonal disorder estimated to affect as many as 5 million women, polycystic ovary syndrome can hinder ovulation. Women with polycystic ovary syndrome typically have high levels of the male reproductive hormone androgen and, as a result, experience weight gain, ovarian cysts, acne and difficulty getting pregnant. Treatment for polycystic ovary syndrome is multimodal. Many women with the disorder are able to conceive by taking fertility medication.Endometriosis: Most common in women in their 30s and 40s, endometriosis occurs when endometrial tissue ? the tissue that lines a woman's uterus ? grows in the ovaries, fallopian tubes and other areas of the body. Symptoms of endometriosis include infertility, extremely painful periods and spotting. Medication and surgery to remove the excess endometrial tissue can boost the chances of pregnancy.Thyroid disorders: When the body produces too many or too few thyroid hormones, women might have trouble getting pregnant. Thyroid disorders cause a variety of symptoms, including weight changes, and are diagnosed with a simple blood test. Surgical removal of the thyroid gland and/or medication may be used to treat thyroid disorders and their related symptoms.

Tidbits

When you think of infertility treatment, advanced reproductive technologies such as in vitro fertilization probably come to mind. According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, 85 to 90 percent of infertile couples are able to conceive with more conventional treatments, such as medication.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 7.4 million U.S. women between the ages of 15 and 44 have had an infertility treatment.Infertility is not just a woman's problem. According to the National Fertility Association, 30 percent of infertility cases are due to male reproductive health issues. Women's reproductive health concerns also account for 30 percent of cases, while the remaining 40 percent come from a combination of factors.

-- Sources: resolve.org, reproductivefacts.org, cdc.gov, resolve.org, mayoclinic.org, cdc.gov, pubs.niaaa.nih.gov, mayoclinic.org, resolve.org, reproductivefacts.org

Heather Draeger, M.D., is board certified in o bstetrics and gynecology at Phillips & Coker OB-GYN, an affiliate with Carolinas Medical Alliance. She also is on the medical staff at Carolinas Hospital System. For more information, visit CarolinasMedicalAlliance.com.