Problems with the uterus and/or cervix that may cause infertility

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.


Author: Bets Davis, MFA
Sandy Jocoy, RN
Ralph Poore
Last Updated: May 6, 2008
Medical Review: Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine
Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology
Andrew Swan, MD, CCFP, FCFP - Family Medicine

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