For many women, becoming a mother is one of life’s most meaningful dreams. But for some, the path to pregnancy can feel confusing, overwhelming, and emotional—especially when medical conditions stand in the way. The good news? Most fertility challenges can be understood, treated, and overcome with the right care.

Below, we break down some of the most common conditions that make it difficult to conceive and how expert fertility care from Dr. Nastaran Foyouzi at Southern California Fertility Center can help you regain hope on your journey.

Common Conditions That Can Make It Hard to Get Pregnant

Several reproductive health conditions can affect your ability to get pregnant naturally. Understanding these conditions is the first step toward finding the right treatment and improving your chances of conceiving.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

PCOS is a hormonal disorder that often causes irregular periods or a lack of ovulation altogether. Without regular ovulation, eggs aren’t released predictably, which makes timing a pregnancy extremely difficult.

Endometriosis

Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus. This can cause inflammation, pain, and even blockages in the fallopian tubes—the place where the egg and sperm meet. When the tubes are blocked, natural conception becomes impossible.

Uterine Fibroids

These noncancerous growths inside the uterus are common and can interfere with implantation or increase the risk of miscarriage. Their size and location often determine how much they affect fertility.

Male Factor Infertility

A healthy sperm count is essential for natural conception. Generally, men need at least 15–20 million sperm per milliliter for a reasonable chance of fertilization. When sperm counts are low, or movement (motility) is poor, sperm may never reach the egg in time.

Blocked Fallopian Tubes

Blockages—from infections, prior surgeries, or endometriosis—prevent the egg and sperm from ever connecting. Even one blocked tube can significantly reduce the chance of natural conception.

Age-Related Infertility & Diminished Ovarian Reserve

One of the biggest challenges women face is diminished ovarian reserve—the natural decrease in egg quantity and quality that occurs with age.

• By age 39, about 50% of eggs are chromosomally abnormal.
• By 41–42, this increases to 80%.

This makes it harder to conceive naturally and raises the risk of miscarriage. But age doesn’t automatically mean pregnancy is impossible—many women still conceive with the help of the right treatment.

Additional Conditions That May Impact Fertility

Fertility challenges look different for everyone. Some other common conditions include:

Premature Ovarian Failure (POF) / Primary Ovarian Insufficiency

When the ovaries stop functioning normally before age 40.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

An infection that can cause scarring in the reproductive organs, leading to blockages.

Hormonal Imbalances

Both overactive and underactive thyroid conditions can disrupt ovulation and menstrual regularity.

Unexplained Infertility

Sometimes all tests appear normal, yet pregnancy still doesn’t occur. About 10–15% of couples experience this.

Though these issues can feel frustrating, many couples still go on to have successful pregnancies.

You Can Overcome These Challenges — With the Right Care

Facing infertility can be emotionally draining—but there is hope. With the right diagnosis and a personalized treatment plan, many women go on to conceive healthy pregnancies.

Dr. Nastaran Foyouzi, a leading reproductive endocrinologist at Southern California Fertility Center, has helped thousands of women overcome fertility challenges. Her expertise in conditions like PCOS, endometriosis, blocked tubes, low ovarian reserve, and hormonal imbalances has empowered countless patients to achieve their dream of motherhood.

Why Patients Trust Dr. Foyouzi

Dr. Foyouzi’s approach is:

Compassionate

She takes the time to understand your story and your goals—because no two fertility journeys are the same.

Personalized

Your treatment plan is created specifically for you, based on your medical history, test results, and the obstacles you’re facing.

Advanced

From leading-edge medications and minimally invasive procedures to IVF and genetic testing, she uses the most effective methods available today.

Proven

With thousands of successful births, her track record speaks for itself.

Whether your next step is ovulation regulation, surgery, IUI, IVF, or donor options, Dr. Foyouzi helps guide you with clarity and confidence.

A Clear Path Forward

Infertility may feel complicated, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. With expert care, many women overcome these challenges and go on to build the families they've always dreamed of.

If you're struggling to conceive or want to understand your fertility better, connecting with a specialist like Dr. Foyouzi can be the first step toward a hopeful, informed, and empowering journey.

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