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Infertility: Problems With the Uterus and Cervix

Topic Overview

Problems with a woman's uterus and/or cervix may be caused by:

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

Related Information

Credits

By Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Femi Olatunbosun, MB, FRCSC - Obstetrics and Gynecology
Last Revised March 19, 2010

Last Revised: March 19, 2010

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine & Femi Olatunbosun, MB, FRCSC - Obstetrics and Gynecology

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