Reduced fertility
Fertile | Unfertile?
The reduced fertility of a couple is mostly a result of a combination of factors. In reproductive medicine, we rarely refer to 'male' or 'female' infertility, but rather to male or female 'factor' within the fertility problem. |
Idiopathic infertility If the mans' sperm is normal and no gynaecological problems can be established in the woman, yet after three years of regular sexual intercourse they still are unable to concieve, we call this idiopathic or unexplained infertility. |
Whether or not a couple is fertile, depends on the answers to four questions:
- Are there (sufficient, healthy) sperms available?
- Is there an egg (at the correct moment)?
- Can the sperm reach the egg?
- Is it possible for the egg to implant?
You are less fertile if you are unable to become pregnant after one year of having regular sexual intercourse. This would indicate that the answer to one of the above questions is negative. With the majority of couples, it is a question of reduced fertility (sub fertility). A lesser number of couples however are sufferers of absolute infertility sterility or infertility).
In men
In Women
In both men and women