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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 for most people and six months in certain circumstances.

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 the chances of becoming pregnant.

Symptoms
References
  1. Infertility: An overview — A guide for patients. American Society for Reproductive Medicine. http://www.asrm.org/Templates/SearchResults.aspx?q=fertility:%20An%20overview%20-%20a%20guide%20for%20patients. Accessed May 21, 2013.
  2. Infertility FAQs. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/Infertility. Accessed May 21, 2013.
  3. Infertility. The Merck Manuals: Home Edition for Patients and Caregivers. http://www.merckmanuals.com/home/womens_health_issues/infertility/overview_of_infertility.html. Accessed May 28, 2013.
  4. Frequently asked questions. Gynecologic problems FAQ137. Treating infertility. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/~/media/For%20Patients/faq137.pdf?dmc=1&ts=20130521T1023327144. Accessed May 21, 2013.
  5. Frequently asked questions. Gynecologic problems FAQ138. Evaluating infertility. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/~/media/For%20Patients/faq136.pdf?dmc=1&ts=20130521T1027034009. Accessed May 21, 2013.
  6. Infertility: Frequently asked questions. National Women's Health Information Center. http://www.womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/infertility.html. Accessed May 21, 2013.
  7. Assisted reproductive technologies: A guide for patients. American Society for Reproductive Medicine. http://www.asrm.org/FactSheetsandBooklets/. Accessed May 21, 2013.
  8. Kuohung W, et al. Overview of infertility. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed May 22, 2013.
  9. Kuohung W, et al. Causes of female infertility. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed May 22, 2013.
  10. Swerdloff RS, et al. Causes of male infertility. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed May 28, 2013.
  11. Kuohung W, et al. Evaluation of female infertility. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed May 22, 2013.
  12. Swerdloff RS, et al. Evaluation of male infertility. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed May 28, 2013.
  13. Kuohung W, et al. Overview of treatment of female infertility. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed May 21, 2013.
  14. Wang C, et al. Treatment of male infertility. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed May 28, 2013.
  15. Hornstein MD, et al. Optimizing natural fertility in couples planning pregnancy. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed May 21, 2013.
  16. What is assisted reproductive technology? Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/art/. Accessed May 30, 2013.
  17. Coddington III CC (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. June 12, 2013.
  18. Stewart EA (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. June 13, 2013.
  19. Gallenberg MM (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. June 11, 2013.
DS00310 July 19, 2013

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