A guide to infertility
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What is infertility?
Infertility (often called subfertility) is a disease of the reproductive system defined by the failure to achieve a pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sex (without contraception) between a man and a woman. Around 9 to 15% of couples will have fertility problems. Infertility can affect men and women.
Infertility in women can be due to diverse problems. It could be a problem within the ovaries. For example eggs may be of low fertility, or ovulation may not occur, or it may occur but irregularly which would affect how often she has her period. Infertility could also be due to problems with the fallopian tubes caused by a blockage (often after infection) or with the uterus (or womb). Women can have fertility problems even if they still have regular periods.
Infertility in men is most often due to too few sperm, poor sperm quality or sperm that do not move properly.
Men’s infertility could also be due to mumps when it occurs during puberty. Mu...
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