Epidemiology & Causes of Infertility
Infertility is a unique medical condition, in that it is a disorder that often involves a couple, not an individual. An infertile couple is one that has been unable to conceive a pregnancy in one year of unprotected intercourse. Of couples without fertility problems (who ultimately conceive), about 20 percent will conceive per cycle, 50 percent will have conceived after three cycles, 75 percent will have conceived by six cycles, and 85-90 percent will conceive after 12 months. About 10-13 percent of couples are infertile. As women delay childbearing, the rate of infertility is increasing.
Timely referrals to infertility specialists (reproductive endocrinologists with specialized training in assisted reproductive technology) are critical to successful outcomes. Unfortunately, referral to infertility specialists is delayed for many women, either because of lack of awareness on the part of the couple, or because the patient’s physician (either primary care physician or gynecologist) does not refer in a timely fashion. An infertility evaluation should
be initiated for:
Women < 35 years old—begin evaluation after 12 months
Women 35-40 years old—offer evaluation after six months
Women > 40 years old—begin evaluation immediately
Causes of infertility include:- Male factor 25-40 %
- Ovulatory defect 20-30 %
- Tubal defect 20-30 %
- Unexplained 10-20 %
- Endometriosis 5-10 %
- Other 4 %
Table 1. Effects of Maternal Age on Pregnancy Rates
 |  | |
| Age | | Conceiving in 12 Months |
20-24
| 86 percent
|
25-29
| 78 percent
|
30-34
| 63 percent
|
35-39
| 52 percent
|
Send Feedback to: 
