Female Infertility Introduction Flashcards
A. Introduction
Infertility is formally defined as “a failure to achieve a desired pregnancy after a couple has engaged in
unprotected intercourse for a year or more” (Hull
1990).
Primary infertility describes couples that have never conceived.
Secondary infertility describes those that have a history of pregnancy but are now failing to
conceive.The chance of conception per ovulatory cycle is estimated to be about 20% (Guzik
1996).
After 1 year of unprotected intercourse
about 7% of couples will have failed to initiate a pregnancy
(Amos & Shaw
1993).
Abnormal function of the menstrual cycle
through disruption of the normal pattern of hormone
production and regulation
may resuit in female infertility .
The time taken to conceive naturally and a couple’s fecundity vary considerably
depending on the
woman’s age and a variety of other factors. A young woman (<25 years old) can
on average
to conceive after only 2 or 3 months of attempting pregnancy. In general
it takes about 5 or 6 months
for most couples to achieve a pregnancy (Sheldon & Ibbotson
1992).
Infertility may be voluntary or involuntary. The incidence of childlessness due to infertility alone is
difficult to determine. Recent trends towards later age at marriage
later childbearing
levels of separation have contributed to rising levels of childlessness. Higher academic and
professional qualifications among women and greater access to contraception are also likely to be
contributory factors (Botting
1992). Furthermore
childlessness. For example
a study that relies on a relatively short duration of infertility is likely to
overestimate the extent of the problem. It has been suggested that between 14% and 24% of couples
remain childless
but it is thought that only about 10% experience difficulties in conceiving or in having
a child (Hirsch & Mosher
1987; Johnson et al.
