Overview of Infertility

Fertility and Infertility

About one in seven couples living in the Western world have problems conceiving. It has been estimated that around 80 million couples worldwide have some fertility problems.

What is Fertility?

Fertility is the ability to conceive. The crucial step of this process is known as fertilisation - an egg bursts from the follicle and is released from the ovary. The egg then travels along the fallopian tube, where at some point it fuses with the sperm to form a single cell. The fertilised egg takes about three days to travel to the uterus (womb) and during this time the cells continue dividing. The fertilised egg, now known as an embryo, implants itself in the endometrium (lining of the womb).

How Long Should it Take?

Couples who have regular unprotected sexual intercourse (2 to 3 times a week) should conceive within two years. The chance of getting pregnant in any one month is around 20%, but this declines with the female age.

In every 100 couples:

• 20 will conceive within one month
• 70 will conceive within six months
• 85 will conceive within a year
• 90 will conceive within eighteen months
• 95 will conceive within two years
  
  

To protect your fertility you can:

• Have a adequate body weight
• Eat a healthy, nutritious and varied diet
• Avoid excessive alcohol (14 units/week for women, 21units/week for men)
• Cease smoking
• Prevent sexually transmitted infections

What is Infertility?

Infertility means being unable to conceive. Few couples are infertile, while most are subfertile, which means they have problems that make conception difficult and medical assistance is required.

There are two types of couple infertility:

• Primary infertility - couples who are unable to conceive and have never achieved a pregnancy.
• Secondary infertility - couples who after having had one or more pregnancies are unable to conceive.