Failure to have a baby could be a sign of fundamental ill health in women and indicate a greater risk of early death, according to a major new study.

In the first analysis of its kind, researchers discovered infertile women have a 10 per cent higher chance of dying prematurely than those able to conceive and are 45 per cent more likely to die from breast cancer.

Experts say the findings indicate that infertility is a symptom of underlying medical problems which go on to trigger serious disease in later life.

Presented at the annual congress of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) in San Antonio, the results have prompted calls for women who struggle to conceive to be screened for certain cancers.

While it is not known for sure what links infertility and early mortality, the stark association with breast cancer, plus a 70 per cent increased risk of death from diabetes, points strongly towards hormone-related disorders.

Previous research has highlighted links between cancer and hormonal treatments to aid fertility.

However, this is the first of its size and nature to reveal the association between fundamental difficulty conceiving and premature death.