Fertility Problems

Pregnancy and fertility

Getting pregnant– How common are fertility problems?

The process of getting pregnant is complex as many events must occur at the right time. Most couples assume conception will follow immediately after birth control is discontinued. However, approximately 1 in 6 couples will at some time have difficulty conceiving. The best chance of a fertile couple achieving pregnancy is about 20% in the first month of trying.

If you are having difficulty conceiving you are not alone. However, with expert advice and treatment, many couples can realise their dream of growing a family.

What is infertility?

Infertility is defined as not achieving pregnancy after having regular unprotected sex for 12 months. Older women are advised to seek medical advice after 6 months of trying for a pregnancy. However many young couples may wish to seek advice earlier than 12 months.

Causes of fertility problems

The causes of fertility problems are shared equally between males and females. In some cases the cause, or causes, maybe unknown. Some of the more common problems are:

Male

• Not enough sperm are produced
• Sperm are of poor quality, have low motility, poor shape or fail to become mature
• The tubes that transport sperm are damaged or blocked
• Sperm appear to be normal but are unable to fertilise the female’s eggs
• The sperm are associated with an immune system reaction

Female

• Eggs are not released from the ovaries
• Eggs fail to mature so they can’t be fertilised
• Tubes are unable to carry eggs to the womb
• The fertilised egg is unable to implant itself in the lining of the uterus
• The cervix prevents sperm entering the uterus to fertilise the egg
• Endometriosis is present