MyFertilityGuide

Infertility is defined as the inability to conceive or maintain a pregnancy after one year of regular sexual activity without the use of birth control. The reasons for infertility can be numerous and in many cases, no specific cause can be detected at all.

Infertility is a common problem for both women and men around the world. According to the National Center for Health Statistics of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 7 million women of childbearing age have difficulty conceiving or maintaining a pregnancy every year. But the problem of infertility plagues not only women but their male partners as well. In fact, American Society of Reproductive Medicine states that male reproductive issues contribute to or are solely responsible for problems with reproduction in 40 percent of infertility cases.

What is Female Infertility?

Fertility refers specifically to the physiological process of conception and in women this process starts with ovulation or the release of a mature egg from the woman’s ovaries. This occurs about 14 days after the first day of the last period or menstruation cycle. Ovulation lasts for an average of 36 hours each month and this is the only time that a woman can become pregnant. Charting basal body temperature or using over-the-counter ovulation tests can help couples determine when ovulation is in progress and increase their chances of pregnancy. Some women, however, do not ovulate regularly or at all. When this is the case, female infertility is an issue.

What is Male Infertility?

Male fertility is generally assessed by analyzing his sperm. The number of sperm released during ejaculation, their size, shape and motility, or the speed at which they travel, all contribute to the male partner’s ability to fertilize the egg during ovulation. Problems with any of these characteristics can cause infertility issues for men.

Nobody’s Fault

No matter which partner exhibits infertility issues, it’s no one’s fault. In about 5 percent to 10 percent of infertility cases, there is no known cause for the inability to conceive. In other cases, problems are minor and easily fixed. Fertility drugs and treatments are always an option, as is adoption.

When is Infertility an Issue to Take to the Doctor’s Office?

Experts say that six months to a year is a reasonable amount of time to spend on your own, tracking ovulation and body temperature while practicing regular sexual intercourse without birth control. Certain preexisting conditions which have infertility as a side effect, such as cancer or ovarian or uterine fibroids, may suggest a visit to the doctor sooner rather than later.