However, there is no correlation between the severity of the symptoms and the extent of the disease. Sometimes there are no symptoms at all. Several forms of treatment are available, involving both medications and surgery. Problems may be related to inadequate sperm count or abnormalities relating to size, shape and movement of sperm. Testicular injury that results in damage to sperm producing structures or undescended testicles may cause infertility.
Hormonal imbalances can also result in infertility.
Occasionally, the presence of other diseases, such as diabetes mellitus, central nervous system problems and pituitary tumors, can affect fertility. Levels decrease with age, especially in women. Maximum fertility for women occurs between the ages of 15 and 24. Many women delay starting a family until they are in their 30s or 40s. About one third of women who defer pregnancy until their mid 30s will have a problem becoming pregnant, and at least half of women over age 40 will have problems conceiving.