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Infertility

Definition

Infertility is the inability to become pregnant after 12 months of unprotected sex (intercourse).

Alternative Names

Barren; Inability to conceive; Unable to get pregnant

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Primary infertility is the term used to describe a couple that has never been able to achieve a pregnancy after at least 1 year of unprotected sex.

Secondary infertility describes couples who have been pregnant at least once, but have not been able to achieve a pregnancy again.

Causes of infertility include a wide range of physical and emotional factors. About 30 - 40% of all infertility is due to a "male" factor such as:

Some factors that affect sperm count are:

"Female" factor causes include:

  • Abnormal egg transport from the cervix through the fallopian tubes (causes 40 - 50% of infertility in couples)
  • Hormone imbalance
  • Ovarian cysts
  • Pelvic infection
  • Poor nutrition
  • Problem with ovulation
  • Scarring from sexually transmitted disease or endometriosis
  • Tumor

The other 10 -30% of infertility cases may be caused by factors from both partners, or no cause that can be identified.

About 10 - 20% of couples will be unable to conceive after 1 year of trying to become pregnant. It is important that you try to get pregnant for at least 1 year.

The chances for a pregnancy in healthy couples who are both under the age of 30 and having sex regularly is only 25 - 30% per month. A woman's peak fertility occurs in her early 20s. As a woman ages beyond 35 (and especially after age 40), the likelihood of getting pregnant drops to less than 10% per month.

In addition to age-related factors, other infertility risks include:

Symptoms

  • A range of emotions by either or both members of the couple. In general, such reactions are greater among childless couples. Having at least one child tends t

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