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Infertility
Pronunciation
Definition 1
The inability to produce children. (NCI Dictionary)
Definition 2
Inability to conceive for at least one year after trying and having unprotected sex. Causes of female infertility include endometriosis, fallopian tubes obstruction, and polycystic ovary syndrome. Causes of male infertility include abnormal sperm production or function, blockage of the epididymis, blockage of the ejaculatory ducts, hypospadias, exposure to pesticides, and health related issues. (NCI Thesaurus)
More information
Infertility means not being able to become pregnant after a year of trying. If a woman can get pregnant but keeps having miscarriages or stillbirths, that's also called infertility.
Infertility is fairly common. After one year of having unprotected sex, about 15 percent of couples are unable to get pregnant. About a third of the time, infertility can be traced to the woman. In another third of cases, it is because of the man. The rest of the time, it is because of both partners or no cause can be found.
There are treatments that are specifically for men or for women. Some involve both partners. Drugs or surgery are common treatments. Happily, many couples treated for infertility go on to have babies. (NIH: National Institute of Child Health and Human Development)
Also called: Artificial Insemination, Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer, In Vitro Fertilization, Sterility, Fertility
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