QUICK FACTS ABOUT INFERTILITY
Infertility is NOT an inconvenience; it is a disease of the reproductive system that impairs the body's ability to perform the basic function of reproduction.
Infertility affects about 5.3 million people in the U.S. -- about nine percent of the reproductive age population.
Infertility affects men and women equally.
Most infertility cases -- 85% to 90% -- are treated with conventional medical therapies such as medication or surgery.
While vital for some patients, in vitro fertilization and similar treatments account for less than 5% of infertility services, and only three hundredths of one percent (.003%) of U.S. health care costs.
Overcoming Infertility (From the PDR Family Guide to Women's Health Chapter 18 )
Types of Infertility
Hypofertile couples have trouble conceiving quickly. Their fertility may be less than ideal or they may be having problems with timing, but they can eventually conceive without special treatment. For example, the man might have a low sperm count, or the woman might have endometriosis—roadblocks, but not brick walls.
Sterile couples won't be able to conceive without medical or surgical treatment. For example, the man might not create enough sperm to fertilize an egg, or the woman might have blocked fallopian tubes. [more]
Infertility's Many Causes
A poorly functioning male reproductive system is the problem for 30 to 40 percent of couples seeking help for infertility. Another 30 to 40 percent of fertility problems are caused by a malfunction in the female system.... [more]
Improving Your Chances
Ovulation—prime time for fertilization—occurs in mid to late morning.
The best time to have intercourse is on the day or evening before ovulation.
You should lie still for about 10 minutes after intercourse to give the sperm that have entered the vagina enough time to proceed through the cervix.
Having intercourse at least 3 times during the week you expect to ovulate raises the odds that sperm will be present in the fallopian tubes when ovulation occurs.
.... [more]
