Infertility is a medical problem that can be treated. It involves a disease or condition of the reproductive system, in either a male or female, which inhibits the couple's ability to conceive after a year of unprotected intercourse (six months for women over age 35) or to carry a pregnancy to term.
Infertility affects over 6 million people in the U.S. alone, or approximately one out of every six couples. A number of factors may cause the condition, with over half of all couples having more than one cause. It is equally likely that it is a male cause as it is a female cause, approximately 35 percent each. It is due to a combined problem in 20 percent of infertility cases, and unexplained in 10 percent.
When the cause of infertility has been determined, a plan may be customized to meet your individual needs. Nearly all cases (85-90 percent) are treatable with medical therapies such as drug treatment, surgical repair of reproductive organs or assisted reproductive technologies.