Common diagnoses explained: PCOS, endometriosis, low AMH, male factor, unexplained
Plain-English overviews of the diagnoses you're most likely to hear.
PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome)
PCOS affects roughly 1 in 10 women of reproductive age and is one of the most common causes of ovulatory infertility. Diagnosis uses the Rotterdam criteria: two of three findings — irregular ovulation, elevated androgens, and polycystic-appearing ovaries on ultrasound. First-line ovulation induction is usually letrozole, which has outperformed clomiphene in head-to-head trials for live birth rates in PCOS patients.
Endometriosis
Endometriosis is the growth of uterine-like tissue outside the uterus and is found in 25–50% of women with infertility. It can damage tubes, distort pelvic anatomy, and may affect egg quality. Definitive diagnosis requires laparoscopy. Treatment depends on severity: mild cases may proceed straight to IUI or IVF; severe cases sometimes benefit from surgical excision before treatment.
Diminished ovarian reserve / low AMH
AMH (anti-Müllerian hormone) is a blood test that estimates the size of your remaining egg supply. Low AMH does not mean you can't conceive naturally — it predicts how aggressively your ovaries will respond to IVF stimulation, not the quality of any individual egg. AFC (antral follicle count) on ultrasound gives complementary information.
Male factor
Male factor contributes to roughly 40–50% of infertility cases. A semen analysis assesses count, motility, and morphology. Mild-to-moderate male factor is often treatable with IUI; severe male factor (very low count or motility) typically requires IVF with ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection).
Unexplained infertility
Unexplained infertility means a complete workup found no cause. About 10–30% of couples receive this label. It is not a diagnosis of exclusion in a dismissive sense — it usually reflects subtle issues with egg-sperm interaction, embryo development, or implantation that current tests don't detect. Treatment is empiric: typically 3 cycles of IUI before moving to IVF.
Want this analyzed for your specific plan?
Upload your insurance documents and we'll tell you what's covered, what isn't, and exactly what to ask. Free. About 5 minutes.
Check my coverage →Sources
- American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM)
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)
- RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association
Cited figures (cycle counts, dollar ranges, mandate lists) reflect publicly available data as of early 2026. Always confirm specific numbers against the linked sources before relying on them — pricing, protocols, and laws change.
Keep reading
More from Understanding Infertility
Free download
Get the free Fertility Cost Playbook
A 28-page PDF on what treatment actually costs, what insurance usually covers, and the questions that get real answers. No spam.