The most commonly used definition of infertility is the lack of pregnancy after 1 year of unprotected regular intercourse. Infertility affects 10-15% of all couples who are attempting to become pregnant.
The causes of infertility can be divided into four major categories: 1) the female factor [35%];
2) the male factor [30%]; 3) combined factors [20%]; and 4) unexplained infertility [15%].
Investigation of infertility necessitates the evaluation of both the male and female partners. There are several identified causes of female infertility.
The goals of care are the determination of any reversible causes of infertility and the initiation of appropriate treatments to maximize reproductive potential. The decision to undergo fertility treatment should be reached only after thorough consideration of the available treatments, potential outcomes (multiple births, failure to conceive), and expense, as well as the emotional and religious factors that may impact on this process.
The treatment depends on the underlying problem. Treatment modalities can be generally classified as medical, hormonal, surgical, or assisted reproductive technologies (ART). Often, a combination of modalities is utilized.
This MediFocus Guide contains an extensive listing of citations and abstracts of recent journal articles that have been published about this condition in trustworthy medical journals. This is the same type of information that is available to physicians and other health care professionals. A partial selection of journal articles that are abstracted in this MediFocus Guide includes:
Implantation defect in endometriosis: endometrium or peritoneal fluid. Journal of Reproduction & Fertility - Supplement. 2000
The pathophysiology of endometriosis-associated infertility: follicular environment and embryo quality. Journal of Reproduction & Fertility - Supplement. 2000
Evaluation and management of infertility in women: the internists' role. Annals of Internal Medicine. 2000
Techniques for pelvic surgery in subfertility. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews [computer file]. 2000
Postoperative procedures for improving fertility following pelvic reproductive surgery. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews [computer file]. 2000
Liquid and fluid agents for preventing adhesions after surgery for subfertility. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews [computer file]. 2000
Laparoscopic "drilling" by diathermy or laser for ovulation induction in anovulatory polycystic ovary syndrome. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews [computer file]. 2000
Oil-soluble versus water-soluble media for assessing tubal patency with hysterosalpingography or laparoscopy in subfertile women. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews [computer file]. 2000
Ovulation induction with urinary follicle stimulating hormone versus human menopausal gonadotropin for clomiphene-resistant polycystic ovary syndrome. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews [computer file]. 2000
Barrier agents for preventing adhesions after surgery for subfertility. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews [computer file]. 2000
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