Many women struggle with infertility and the demand for infertility services has grown substantially as the baby boom generation enters its reproductive age. The definition of infertility is the inability to conceive after 12 months of regular unprotective sex. Most pregnancies will occur in the first 6 menstrual cycles of attempted conception. The rates of infertility in the United States range from 12 to 18 percent. Primary infertility occurs in about 9% of nulliparous women ages 15-34, 25% of ages 35-39 and 30% in women ages 40-44. As you can see, the rates of infertility increase as you age.
Female factor infertility accounts for 37% of infertile couples while male factor infertility accounts for 8%. 5% of couples have unknown causes. This episode will explain some of the causes and the testing you need to get the answers you need.