What is the difference between human fertility and infertility

Therefore, the duration of unwanted non-conception remains as the main factor indicating timing of investigation in case of a subfertility problem and it mainly defines the grades of subfertility and determines prevalence estimations. Based on the cited prospective TTP studies, we propose a simple, easy and memorable three-step grading for all day clinical use Table I.

IVF will be necessary—the chance of a live birth will decrease rapidly. We recently proposed this threshold for timing the first infertility investigation in selected groups of couples after six cycles with fertility-focused intercourse Gnoth et al. Thereafter, a prognostic statement Hunault et al. In cases with a good prognosis especially unexplained infertility the couples should be encouraged to wait because they have a similar probability of achieving a pregnancy with and without treatment Stolwijk et al.

In cases with bad prognosis e. Am J Epidemiol , — Balasch J Investigation of the infertile couple: investigation of the infertile couple in the era of assisted reproductive technology: a time for reappraisal.

Hum Reprod 15 , — Hum Reprod 19 , — Hum Reprod Update 10 , — Fertil Steril 64 , 22 — Hum Reprod 17 , — Obstet Gynecol , 51 — Evers JL Female subfertility. Lancet , — Hum Reprod 13 , — Hum Reprod 11 , — Arch Gynecol Obstet , 67 — Hum Reprod 18 , — Hum Reprod 16 , — Hum Reprod 14 , — Juul S, Keiding N and Tvede M Retrospectively sampled time-to-pregnancy data may make age-decreasing fecundity look increasing.

European Infertility and Subfecundity Study Group. Epidemiology 11 , — J Am Statist Assoc 53 , — Fertil Steril 71 , — Fertil Steril 66 , 95 — Schmidt L Infertile couples' assessment of infertility treatment. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 77 , — Schmidt L, Munster K and Helm P Infertility and the seeking of infertility treatment in a representative population.

Br J Obstet Gynaecol , — Hum Reprod 12 , — Obstet Gynecol , — Stolwijk AM, Wetzels AM and Braat DD Cumulative probability of achieving an ongoing pregnancy after in-vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection according to a woman's age, subfertility diagnosis and primary or secondary subfertility.

Hum Reprod Update 8 , — Clin Obstet Gynecol 43 , — Fertil Steril 79 , — Oxford University Press is a department of the University of Oxford.

It furthers the University's objective of excellence in research, scholarship, and education by publishing worldwide. Sign In or Create an Account.

Sign In. Advanced Search. Search Menu. Article Navigation. Close mobile search navigation Article Navigation. Alexander, L.

Garfield, S. Al-Inany, H. Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone antagonists for assisted reproductive technology. Allison, J. Conceiving silence: Infertility as discursive contradiction in Ireland. Medical Anthropology Quarterly , 25 1 , 1— American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Preimplantation genetic testing. Ardabily, H. Prevalence and risk factors for domestic violence against infertile women in an Iranian setting.

Armstrong, A. Law and the family in Southern Africa. Adepoju Ed. Zed Books. Aronson, P. Aryee, A. The African family and changing nuptiality patterns. Asch, R. Pregnancy after translaparoscopic gamete intrafallopian transfer. Lancet , 2 , — Asemota, O. Access to infertility care in the developing world: The family promotion gap.

Seminars in Reproductive Medicine , 33 1 , 17— Ayaz, S. Traditional practices used by infertile women in Turkey. International Nursing Review , 57 3 , — Ayeleke, R. Intra-uterine insemination for unexplained subfertility. Baazeem, A. Varicocele and male factor infertility treatment: A new meta-analysis and review of the role of varicocele repair. European Urology , 60 4 , — Bachman, E.

Randomized controlled trial of benzocaine versus placebo spray for pain relief at hysterosalpingogram. Reproductive BioMedicine Online , 28 6 , — Bardaweel, S. Alternative and antioxidant therapies used by a sample of infertile males in Jordan: A cross-sectional survey.

Barnes, L. Conceiving masculinity: Male infertility, medicine, and identity. Temple University Press. Reproductive justice for the invisible infertile: A critical examination of reproductive surveillance and stratification. Sociology Compass , 14 2 , Article e Beall, S.

History and challenges surrounding ovarian stimulation in the treatment of infertility. Fertility and Sterility , 97 4 , — Becker, G.

The elusive embryo: How women and men approach new reproductive technologies. University of California Press. Beguy, D. Timing and sequencing of events marking the transition to adulthood in two informal settlements in Nairobi, Kenya. Journal of Urban Health , 88 2 , — Bell, A. Misconception: Social class and infertility in America. Bello, B. Time-to-pregnancy and pregnancy outcomes in a South African population. BMC Public Health , 10 1 , 1—8. Bensdorp, A. Intra-uterine insemination for male subfertility.

Benyamini, Y. British Journal of Health Psychology , 14 1 , 1— Berntsen, S. Berthelsen, J. Andrological aspects of testicular cancer.

International Journal of Andrology , 7 6 , — Bharadwaj, A. Conception politics: Medical egos, media spotlights, and the contest over test-tube firsts in India. Birenbaum-Carmeli, D. Risk for borderline ovarian tumours after exposure to fertility drugs: Results of a population-based cohort study.

Human Reproduction , 30 1 , — Bledsoe, C. Contingent lives: Fertility, time, and aging in West Africa. University of Chicago Press. Bloom, M. Associations between urinary phthalate concentrations and semen quality parameters in a general population. Human Reproduction , 30 11 , — Boivin, J. International estimates of infertility prevalence and treatment-seeking: Potential need and demand for infertility medical care.

Human Reproduction , 22 6 , — Botha, B. Human Reproduction Open , 2 , 1— Boulet, S. Trends in use of and reproductive outcomes associated with intracytoplasmic sperm injection.

JAMA , 3 , Boutari, C. The effect of underweight on female and male reproduction. Metabolism: Clinical and Experimental , , Article Bozdag, G. What is the role of office hysteroscopy in women with failed IVF cycles? Reproductive BioMedicine Online , 17 3 , — Brandes, M.

Unexplained infertility: Overall ongoing pregnancy rate and mode of conception. Human Reproduction , 26 2 , — Livebirth after uterus transplantation. The Lancet , , — Brezina, P.

Recent advances in assisted reproductive technology. Current Obstetrics and Gynecology Reports , 1 4 , — Brinton, L. Fertility drugs and endometrial cancer risk: Results from an extended follow-up of a large infertility cohort.

Human Reproduction , 28 10 , — Broughton, D. Fertility and Sterility , 4 , — Brown, J. Clomiphene and other antioestrogens for ovulation induction in polycystic ovarian syndrome.

Brown, R. Irresponsibly infertile? Obesity, efficiency, and exclusion from treatment. Health Care Analysis , 27 2 , 61— Buck Louis, G. Heavy metals and couple fecundity, the LIFE study. Chemosphere , 87 11 , — Carlsen, E. Evidence for decreasing quality of semen during past 50 years.

Carranza-Mamane, B. The management of uterine fibroids in women with otherwise unexplained infertility. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada , 37 3 , — Casper, R. Recent advances in in vitro fertilization. FResearch , 6 , Article Ceballo, R. Silent and infertile: An intersectional analysis of the experiences of socioeconomically diverse African American women with infertility.

Psychology of Women Quarterly , 39 4 , — Cedars, M. The sixth vital sign: What reproduction tells us about overall health. Human Reproduction Open , 2 , 1—8.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National public health action plan for the detection, prevention, and management of infertility. About us. About NSFG. Department of Health and Human Services. Chambers, G. Acceptable cost for the patient and society. Fertility and Sterility , 2 , — Chandra, A.

National Health Statistics Reports , 67 , 1— National Health Statistics Reports, 73 , 1— Infertility service use among U.

Fertility and Sterility , 93 3 , — Chen, C. Pregnancy after human oocyte cryopreservation. Lancet , 1 , — Chen, Z. Legro, R. Fresh versus frozen embryos for infertility in the polycystic ovary syndrome.

The New England Journal of Medicine , 6 , — Chester, R. Is there a relationship between childlessness and marriage breakdown? Journal of Biosocial Science , 4 4 , — Chiu, Y. Intake of fruits and vegetables with low-to-moderate pesticide residues is positively associated with semen-quality parameters among young healthy men. The Journal of Nutrition , 5 , — Chow, E. Clinical vignettes and global health considerations of infertility care in under-resourced patients.

Fertility Research and Practice , 2 , Article 4. Clarke, L. The continuity and discontinuity of the embodied self in infertility. Cohen, J. Human Reproduction Update , 11 5 , — Collins, J. Human Reproduction Update , 8 3 , — Connolly, M. The costs and consequences of assisted reproductive technology: An economic perspective.

Human Reproduction Update , 16 6 , — Cousineau, T. Psychological impact of infertility. Cox, C. Engagement in nonbiomedical practices for fertility enhancement: A scoping review. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 26 11 , — Craig, J. Obesity, male infertility, and the sperm epigenome. Crawford, S. Estimates of lifetime infertility from three states: The behavioral risk factor surveillance system. Crockin, S. Growing families in a shrinking world: Legal and ethical challenges in cross-border surrogacy.

Reproductive BioMedicine Online , 27 6 , — Dancet, E. Human Reproduction Update , 16 5 , — Human Reproduction , 26 4 , — Daniels, C. Exposing men: The science and politics of male reproduction. Oxford University Press. Daniilidis, A. Hydrosalpinx: Tubal surgery or in vitro fertilisation? An everlasting dilemma nowadays; a narrative review. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology , 37 5 , — Davis, N. The increasing incidence of mumps orchitis: A comprehensive review.

BJU International , 8 , — First live birth following blastocyst biopsy and PGD analysis. Reproductive BioMedicine Online , 4 2 , De Geyter, C. Swiss Medical Weekly , , Article Dennison, R. Transition to adulthood. In The Wiley Blackwell encyclopedia of family studies pp.

Deonandan, R. Recent trends in reproductive tourism and international surrogacy: Ethical considerations and challenges for policy. Risk Management and Healthcare Policy , 8 , — Ethical concerns for maternal surrogacy and reproductive tourism. Journal of Medical Ethics , 38 12 , — Devroey, P.

Pregnancies after testicular sperm extraction and intracytoplasmic sperm injection in non-obstructive azoospermia. Human Reproduction , 10 6 , — Dhont, N. Gender differences and factors associated with treatment-seeking behaviour for infertility in Rwanda. Human Reproduction , 25 8 , — Human Reproduction , 26 3 , — Dieckmann, K.

Clinical epidemiology of testicular germ cell tumors. World Journal of Urology , 22 1 , 2— Dieke, A. Disparities in assisted reproductive technology utilization by race and ethnicity, United States, A commentary. Dierickx, S.

Dimka, R. The work of a woman is to give birth to children: Cultural constructions of infertility in Nigeria. African Journal of Reproductive Health , 17 2 , — Dohle, G. European Association of Urology guidelines on vasectomy. European Urology , 61 1 , — Domar, A. Burden of care is the primary reason why insured women terminate in vitro fertilization treatment.

Donkor, E. Socio-cultural perceptions of infertility in Ghana. Africa Journal of Nursing and Midwifery , 10 1 , 22— Duffy, J. Laparoscopic surgery for endometriosis.

Dupree, J. Insurance coverage of male infertility: What should the standard be? Durairajanayagam, D. Lifestyle causes of male infertility. Arab Journal of Urology , 16 1 , 10— Duthie, E. A conceptual framework for patient-centered fertility treatment. Reproductive Health , 14 , Article Dyer, S. The value of children in African countries: Insights from studies on infertility.

Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynecology , 28 2 , 69— International estimates on infertility prevalence and treatment seeking: Potential need and demand for medical care.

Psychological distress among women suffering from couple infertility in South Africa: A quantitative assessment.

Human Reproduction , 20 7 , — Human Reproduction , 19 4 , — Reproductive BioMedicine Online , 38 2 , — Catastrophic payment for assisted reproduction techniques with conventional ovarian stimulation in the public health sector of South Africa: Frequency and coping strategies.

Edirne, T. Use of complementary and alternative medicines by a sample of Turkish women for infertility enhancement: A descriptive study. Eisenberg, M. The relationship between physical occupational exposures and health on semen quality: Data from the LIFE study. Fertility and Sterility , 5 , — Predictors of not pursuing infertility treatment after an infertility diagnosis: Examination of a prospective U. Fertility and Sterility , 94 6 , — Social determinants of human reproduction.

Human Reproduction , 16 7 , — Intrauterine insemination. Human Reproduction Update , 15 3 , — Eskew, A. Letrozole compared with clomiphene citrate for unexplained infertility: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Obstetrics and Gynecology , 3 , — Evens, E. Identifying factors that influence pregnancy intentions: Evidence from South Africa and Malawi. Farquhar, C. Female subfertility. Nature Reviews Disease Primers , 5 1 , Article 7. Fauser, B. Multiple birth resulting from ovarian stimulation for subfertility treatment.

Lancet , , — Feldman-Savelsberg, P. Plundered kitchens and empty wombs: Fear of infertility in the Cameroonian grassfields. Is infertility an unrecognized public health and population problem? The view from the Cameroon grassfields. Fishel, S. First in vitro fertilization baby—This is how it happened. Fertility and Sterility , 1 , 5— Fisher, J. Long-term health, well-being, life satisfaction, and attitudes toward parenthood in men diagnosed as infertile: Challenges to gender stereotypes and implications for practice.

Fertility and Sterility , 94 2 , — Psychological and social aspects of infertility in men: An overview of the evidence and implications for psychologically informed clinical care and future research. Asian Journal of Andrology , 14 1 , — Fledderjohann, J. Human Reproduction , 27 5 , — Difficulties conceiving and relationship stability in sub-Saharan Africa: The case of Ghana.

European Journal of Population , 33 1 , — Reimagining infertility: A critical examination of fertility norms, geopolitics and survey bias. Health Policy and Planning , 33 1 , 34— Impaired fertility and perceived difficulties conceiving in Ghana: Measurement problems and prospects. Journal of Biosocial Science , 48 4 , — Population Horizons, 15 2 , 66— Fraietta, R. Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism revisited. Clinics , 68 S1 , 81— Frank, O. Infertility in sub-Saharan Africa: Estimates and implications.

Population and Development Review , 9 1 , — Galhardo, A. Psychological aspects in couples with infertility. Sexologies , 20 4 , — Gameiro, S. Patient centred care in infertility health care: Direct and indirect associations with wellbeing during treatment. Patient Education and Counseling , 93 3 , — Gaskins, A.

Occupational use of high-level disinfectants and fecundity among nurses. Work schedule and physical factors in relation to fecundity in nurses. Occupational and Environmental Medicine , 72 11 , — Gavin, L. Zapata, L. Office of Population Affairs. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report , 63 4 , 1— Geelhoed, D. Infertility in rural Ghana. Gerrits, T. Social and cultural aspects of infertility in Mozambique.

Patient Education and Counseling , 31 1 , 39— Biomedical infertility care in sub-Saharan Africa: A social science review of current practices, experiences and view points.

Gibson, C. Childlessness and marital instability: A re-examination of the evidence. Journal of Biosocial Science , 12 2 , — Gijsels, M. Mgalla Eds. Gipson, J.

Infertility: A continually neglected component of sexual and reproductive health and rights. Bulletin of the World Health Organization , 98 7 , — Giwa-Osagie, O. ART in developing countries with particular reference to sub-Saharan Africa. Vayena , P. Griffin Eds. World Health Organization. Couples should consult with a health care provider about fertility problems if they have had unprotected sex for 1 year without a successful pregnancy.

To diagnose infertility and try to identify its cause, health care providers ask questions about health history, perform a physical exam, and conduct laboratory tests. Treatments for infertility—for men, for women, and for both partners—can range from medications or surgery to embryo implantation through assisted reproductive technology ART.

NICHD conducts and supports a variety of clinical research projects related to infertility and fertility. General Information. How common is infertility? What are some causes of infertility?