Infertility: Problems With the Uterus and Cervix

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Topic Overview

Problems with a woman's uterus and/or cervix may be caused by many things. Causes include:

  • Abnormalities of the uterus. These may have been present from birth.
  • A past surgery or procedure, such as a cervical cone biopsy or a dilation and curettage (D&C). These may decrease fertility if the procedures have damaged the cervix or uterine lining. (This is rare.)
  • Exposure to certain drugs before birth, such as DES. These may cause deformities of the uterus, resulting in infertility.
  • Abnormalities in a woman's cervical mucus. These may affect the movement of sperm through the vagina and cervix.
  • Antibodies to sperm present in a woman's cervical mucus. These may kill the sperm or affect their ability to move normally.

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Credits

ByHealthwise Staff

Primary Medical ReviewerKathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine

Specialist Medical ReviewerFemi Olatunbosun, MB, FRCSC - Obstetrics and Gynecology

Current as ofMarch 16, 2017