Fertility
What is infertility?
For a fertile couple in their twenties having regular unprotected sex, the chance of conceiving each month is only 25 per cent. So how do you know when something's amiss?
The answer depends on how old you are. While the age of the man is thought to play a role, the medical definition of infertility focuses on the woman. Those under 35 are advised to seek treatment for infertility if they haven't become pregnant after 12 months of regular unprotected sex. For those over 35, the threshold is six months instead of 12.
But there are degrees of infertility. The majority of infertile couples are actually subfertile – that is, they produce eggs and sperm but have difficulty conceiving due to disorders such as hormone imbalances and problems with the reproductive tract. Cases of total infertility – where no eggs or sperm are produced – are rare.
Quick Facts:
- One in six couples are infertile. In 40 per cent of cases the problem lies exclusively with the male, 40 per cent with the female, 10 per cent with both partners, and in a further 10 per cent of cases, the cause is unknown.
- Fertility problems strike one in three women over 35.
- One in 25 males have a low sperm count, and one in 35 are sterile.
- The chance of conceiving in an IVF cycle is around 20 per cent (but varies due to individual circumstances).
- More than one per cent of births in Australia involve the use of assisted reproductive technologies.
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