INFERTILITY AND REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE

There is no clear definition of infertility. Although there are several factors that play into a diagnosis, such as inability to conceive or chronic disorders affecting the reproductive organs, none in itself is conclusive evidence of infertility. According to an official definition adopted by the World Health Organization (WHO), someone is considered to have fertility issues if they are not able to get pregnant for a whole year despite having regular unprotected sexual relations. (Some claim that this number goes down to 6 months if a woman is over the age of 35.) It is believed that about 10-15% of couples or persons in child-bearing age are affected by fertility issues at some point in their lives. There are many causes for infertility and not in every case the causes are clearly understood. Depending on the underlying etiology, infertility can be treated with medicines (such as hormones), surgery on the reproductive organs, or assisted reproductive technologies (such as IVF).