Learning Materials
General Information on Infertility
We understand that information condensed on IVF centers’ websites may be overwhelming for patients. So we tried to minimize our content to highlight IVF-related procedures and our unique approach to it.
If you would like to read more about infertility in general, please visit these well-respected organization’s websites:
- American Society for Reproductive Medicine: http://www.reproductivefacts.org/
- Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology: http://www.sart.org/
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: http://www.cdc.gov/art/
- Resolve – The National Infertility Association: http://www.resolve.org/
Here are some essential facts about infertility from the ASRM website:
- 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.
- Impaired fecundity (the inability have a child) affects 6.7 million women in the U.S. — about 11% of the reproductive-age population (Source: National Survey of Family Growth, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC] 2006-2010).
- In a survey of married women, the CDC found that 1.5 million women in the US (6%) are infertile (Source: National Survey of Family Growth, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC] 2006-2010).
- Infertility affects men and women equally.
- Twenty-five percent of infertile couples have more than one factor that contributes to their infertility.
- In approximately 40 percent of infertile couples, the male partner is either the sole cause or a contributing cause of infertility.
- Irregular or abnormal ovulation accounts for approximately 25 percent of all female infertility problems.
- 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 3% of infertility services, and about (or approximately) seven hundredths of one percent (0.07%) of U.S. health care costs.
- Twelve percent of all infertility cases are a result of the woman either weighing too little or too much.
- It is possible for women with body weight disorders to reverse their infertility by attaining and maintaining a healthy weight.
- Men and women who smoke have decreased fertility.
- The risk of miscarriage is higher for pregnant women who smoke.
- Up to 13 percent of female infertility is caused by cigarette smoking.
- Chlamydia causes about 4 to 5 million infections annually in the United States. If left untreated, chlamydia can cause infertility.
