There are risk factors, as the medical community likes to call them, that would make some individuals more vulnerable to this condition than other individuals.
Some of them may be an eye opener.
Age.
Once a woman reaches 30 her fertility potential gradually declines.
That is not to say that you will never get pregnant once you hit this magic marker.
But it does make the process harder for some people.
Age-related infertility may be due to a higher rate of problems with the chromosomes occurring naturally in the eggs as they age.
But, consider also that as a woman ages, she may have more general health problems which interfere with the ability to conceive.
Another fact to keep in mind as well is that as a woman ages her risk of miscarriage increases.
The same applies to men.
As a man ages, he may be less fertile than his younger counterparts.
For men, this seems to occur once he reaches his fortieth birthday.
Cigarette smoking.
Cigarette smoking causes female infertility - period.
Both men and women who smoke cigarettes appear to reduce the odds of fertility.
Not only that, but if they smoke while they are receiving fertility treatment, this also affects the chances of the treatments effectiveness.
Similarly, miscarriages more frequently occur in women who smoke than those who do.
Weight.
And I am not just talking overweight here! Both an overweight or underweight condition causes female infertility and may negatively impact on your chances of getting pregnant.
For many women - especially in the United States - infertility is, in part, due to the sedentary lifestyle and the corresponding problem of being overweight.
If you are underweight, you may also experience problems with conception.
This is especially true of women who are plagued with eating disorders like anorexia nervosa or bulimia.
The same may hold true for someone on a severe, calorie-restrictive diet as well.
Although the subject is controversial, even women who are vegans seem to be at a greater risk of infertility.
With this group it is very often the lack of a specific nutrient, like vitamin B-12, folic acid, zinc, or iron which is causes female infertility.
Excessive exercise.
In juxtaposition to little or no exercise, too much exercise can also be one of the factors that causes female infertility.
As confusing as it may sound over-exercising may trigger conception problems.
Don not misunderstand this - normal gentle exercise is great, but several clinical studies indicate that a woman who spends more than seven hours a week exercising may have ovulation problems.
If this applies to you, consult your physician.
Caffeine.
Long since an ongoing debate in the medical profession.
Could too many caffeinated drinks be associated with a greater risk of infertility? It is still an open question whether or not caffeine causes female infertility..
Whilst some studies have shown that fertility decreases when caffeine intake climbs, other studies have shown no such indicators.
One fact emerges though - if there is a correlation, women are more severely affected than men.
Drinking alcohol.
Alcohol may also play a role in contributing to infertility.
No beating about the bush here.
Once you are pregnant there is absolutely no "safe" limit on drinking.
Even a little alcohol causes female infertility.
The same, you may be surprised to learn, goes for the period in which you are trying to get pregnant.
If you have been attempting to conceive, but you have not sworn off drinking yet - even if you drink only a little - give it up completely to increase your chances of having a baby.