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Definition

By Mayo Clinic staff

If getting pregnant has been a challenge for you and your partner, you're not alone. Ten to 15 percent of couples in the United States are infertile. Infertility is defined as not being able to get pregnant despite having frequent, unprotected sex for at least a year — or for at least six months if the woman is age 35 or older.

Infertility may be due to a single cause in either you or your partner, or a combination of factors that may prevent a pregnancy from occurring or continuing. Fortunately, there are many safe and effective therapies for overcoming infertility. These treatments significantly improve your chances of becoming pregnant.

Symptoms
References
  1. Infertility. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/infertility.cfm. Accessed May 16, 2011.
  2. Kuohung W, et al. Overview of infertility. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 16, 2011.
  3. Infertility. The Merck Manuals: Home Edition for Patients and Caregivers. http://www.merckmanuals.com/home/sec22/ch254/ch254a.html. Accessed May 16, 2011.
  4. Swerdloff RS, et al. Causes of male infertility. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 16, 2011.
  5. Kuohung W, et al. Causes of female infertility. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 16, 2011.
  6. Lobo RA. Infertility: Etiology, diagnostic evaluation, management, prognosis. In: Katz VL, et al. Comprehensive Gynecology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/208746819-4/0/1524/0.html. Accessed May 13, 2011.
  7. Kuohung W, et al. Overview of treatment of female infertility. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 16, 2011.
  8. Evans MI, et al. Screening and testing in multiples. Clinics in Laboratory Medicine. 2010;30:643.
  9. Pauli SA, et al. Current status of the approach to assisted reproduction. Pediatric Clinics of North America. 2009;56:467.
  10. Zoorob RJ, et al. Women's health: Selected topics. Primary Care: Clinics in Office Practice. 2010;37:367.
  11. Peck JD, et al. A review of the epidemiologic evidence concerning the reproductive health effects of caffeine consumption: A 2000-2009 update. Food and Chemical Toxicology. 2010;48:2549.
  12. Boivin J, et al. Emotional distress in infertile women and failure of assisted reproductive technologies: Meta-analysis of prospective psychosocial studies. British Medical Journal. 2011;342d:223.
  13. Uterine fibroids: Frequently asked questions. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. http://www.womenshealth.gov/FAQ/uterine-fibroids.cfm. Accessed May 16, 2011.
  14. Hornstein MD, et al. Optimizing natural fertility in couples planning pregnancy. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 16, 2011.
  15. Fauser BC. Overview of ovulation induction. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 16, 2011.
  16. Wilkins KM, et al. Depressive symptoms related to infertility and infertility treatments. Psychiatric Clinics of North America. 2010:33;309.
  17. Coddington CC (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. June 3, 2011.
DS00310 Sept. 9, 2011

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