The fecundity of human beings is not as efficient as it is commonly thought to be. The pregnancy rate for each month of exposure is about 25 %. This means that out of 100 couples that are exposed to pregnancy during the fertile period, only 25 % achieve pregnancy during the first month. After 12 months of exposure 80% of the couples are able to accomplish pregnancy. Out of the 20 couples that do not achieve pregnancy in the first year, half of them will do so in the second year of exposure. The other half usually has a problem with their reproductive systems.

Causes of infertility are very diverse. However the most frequent are:

1. Tubo-peritoneal factor: 35%
It includes fallopian tubes obstruction, pelvic adhesions or endometriosis.

Tubo-Peritoneal Factor

2. Male factor: 35%
It refers to problems in quantity and quality of sperm that the male ejaculates during intercourse. Common problems are low sperm count, decreased sperm mobility, infections, etc.

 

Sperm

3.Ovulatory factor: 15%
It refers to problems with ovulation such as, chronic anovulation, policystic ovary syndrome, etc. Generally, the symptoms are menstrual disorders like early or late menstruation, abnormal bleeding and oligomenorrhea (frequent delayed menstruation).

4. Unexplained infertility: 10%
It refers to couples that have undergone a complete investigation (including laparoscopy), and have not shown the cause of infertility.

5. Rare problems: 5%
There are couples in which the cause of infertility is related to endocrine problems (hyper or hypothyroidism), sexual dysfunctions, impotence, premature ejaculation, anatomical problems, and psychiatric problems (e.g. vaginism)

 

Distribution of causes of infertility according to percent of frequency.

When should I consult a physician?

We recommend that you consult a doctor if:
1. You have been trying to become pregnant for one year without positive results.
2. your menstruation is continuously delayed (more than 15 days)
3. you suffer from sharp pain during menstruation or during sexual intercourse.
4. you have ever had a severe pelvic infection that required antibiotic treatment or hospitalization.
5. you suffer from sexual dysfunction (premature ejaculation, impotence, etc).
It is not necessary to wait one year if you present some of the problems listed above (2-5).
6. You have achieved pregnancy but have suffered more than two miscarriages.