Infertility Statistics Everyone Should Know

Starting a family isn’t easy for everyone. Most people assume that infertility is only something a select few have to deal with, but, in fact, more couples struggle with fertility issues than you may realize. When you and your spouse or partner decide you want to try for a baby, you might be disappointed to learn that you are also struggling to conceive. Instead of becoming discouraged, arm yourself with information and learn some of the basic facts about infertility issues within the United States. Even if you aren’t yet starting a family, it could still benefit you to become acquainted with these useful statistics now to better prepare yourself later on down the road.

Before you decide to start a family, make sure you know some of the basic facts and statistics about infertility.

What is infertility?

Infertility is the inability to conceive a child naturally, usually only after the couple has been trying to conceive for at least a year. It is perfectly normal for conception to take anywhere from a few months to a year. Once a couple has been trying to conceive for longer than a year, without success, then one or both partners may be facing a fertility issue.

Both men and women may face fertility issues, and it can affect individuals of any age. In many cases, there are still ways individuals facing fertility issues can still conceive a child with medical help.

Who struggles with infertility?

Anyone can deal with a fertility issue, regardless of age or gender. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, roughly 10% of women under the age of 44 have trouble with getting pregnant or staying pregnant. In other words, 6.1 million couples in the United States face some difficulty when trying to conceive. However, infertility has been proven to affect men about as much as it affects women. While one-third of fertility issues are due to the woman, another third are due to the man. The remaining fertility issues may be due to an unknown cause or some mixture of male and female fertility problems. Additionally, some studies show that 1 out of every 8 couples trying to conceive experience some difficulty or disappointment.

What causes infertility?

Infertility can be caused by any number of medical issues. If you think you may be dealing with a fertility issue, its important to see a fertility specialist to discuss your situation and discover your options.

For men, some of the most common fertility issues include:

• Varicocele (a condition where the veins in the testicles are too large)
• A low sperm count
• Poor sperm motility

For women, common fertility issues may include:

• Endometriosis
• Uterine fibroids
• Blocked fallopian tubes

Knowing Your Next Step

Trying to become a parent can be a very difficult journey for some couples, but it doesn’t have to be. At Palm Beach Fertility Center, we can help with fertility issues and offer a variety of effective solutions to best suit your needs.

Ready to get started? Contact our staff at Palm Beach Fertility Center for help today!