If you have been trying to get pregnant for twelve months or longer without success, you may be facing a diagnosis of infertility—either male or female.
Here are some of the most often asked questions about infertility, with brief, easy to understand answers:
Q. What is Infertility?
A. Infertility is defined by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine as a disease of the reproductive system that impairs the body’s ability to perform the basic function of reproduction.
Q. Which is More Common, Male or Female Infertility?
A. Contrary to some popular beliefs, infertility is not just a woman’s concern. A problem with the male is the sole cause, or a contributing cause, of infertility in about 50 percent of infertile couples. So, the cause of infertility is divided basically equally between men and women.
Q. What is the Most Common Cause of Infertility?
A. About one-third of infertile couples have more than one cause or factor related to their inability to conceive. About 20 percent of couples have no identifiable cause for their infertility after medical investigation. As a general rule, female infertility is most often caused by endometriosis. There are a host of other causes for infertility, as well:
Female Infertility:
- Problems with ovulation
- Anatomical problems
- Birth defects of the reproductive system
- Infection such as STDS and PID
- Immunological problems
Male Infertility:
- Low or absent sperm production
- Abnormal sperm function
- Varicocele
- Lifestyle factors
- Hormonal disorders
- Chromosomal defects
- Birth defects
- Immunological problems
Q. How Many Couples Have Infertility Issues?
A. Infertility affects about 12% of couples who are of childbearing age.
Q. How is Infertility Diagnosed?
A. If conception does not occur in couples within 12 months when the female is under the age of 35, or 6 months for women over the age of 35, there will usually be diagnostic testing to try and discover the cause of infertility. This usually includes hormonal tests, physical exams, semen analysis, ovulation evaluation, and more.
Q. What is the Treatment for Infertility?
A. Treatments vary depending on the cause of the infertility. According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, approximately 85-90% of infertility cases are treated successfully with conventional methods.
If you suspect that you have not conceived due to infertility issues, you should talk to your doctor about having the necessary diagnostic test to try and determine the cause!
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What Causes Male Infertility?
Frequently Asked Questions About Male Infertility
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