What is infertility?
Infertility refers to the biological inability of an individual or a couple to achieve a pregnancy after 1 year or more of having regular unprotected sexual intercourse. It is a condition that affects both men and women.
Some key facts about infertility:
Causes of infertility in women can include:
Causes in men can include:
Risk factors that can contribute to infertility include:
Infertility can be a frustrating and emotional condition for couples who wish to start a family. The inability to get pregnant month after month can cause feelings of anger, grief, anxiety, depression, guilt, and loss of control. Support from family, friends, support groups, and mental health professionals is important when dealing with this difficult diagnosis.
If pregnancy is not happening naturally after a year of trying for women under 35, or after 6 months of trying for women over 35, it's recommended to schedule an appointment with a fertility specialist. Through examinations, testing, and treatment procedures like ovulation induction medications, intrauterine insemination (IUI) and in vitro fertilization (IVF), fertility specialists work with couples to help make pregnancy possible.
The chances of conceiving differ for every couple based on variables like their age and diagnosis. With advances in reproductive technology and treatment options available today, most couples with infertility should remain hopeful they can eventually become parents.