Infertility Dr Rob Hicks About a quarter of couples experience a period of infertility lasting more than a year, and some continue to experience difficulties for longer.

In this article

What is it? What causes infertility?

What's the treatment? Advice and support

Infertility may be primary, meaning the couple have never achieved a pregnancy, or secondary, which means they have conceived in the past but are having difficulties conceiving again.

Male infertility is usually caused by sperm disorders. Other causes of male infertility include genetic disorders, alcohol and drug misuse, testicular injury, side effects of illness, and sexually transmitted infections.

Causes of female infertility include problems with ovulation, egg transport, fertilisation and implantation, and endometriosis.

Often, however, no cause for infertility can be identified. You can minimise the chances of infertility by:

• Not smoking or using recreational drugs
• Drinking alcohol only within recommended amounts
• Taking regular exercise
• eating a healthy diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables - zinc, selenium, and vitamins A, C and E are important for healthy sperm production
• Keeping stress to a minimum and having sex regularly

Treatment depends on the underlying cause. For example, if ovulation is a problem then medication can be given to stimulate the ovaries. Surgery may be used to treat endometriosis or to remove fibroids from the womb. Various techniques are available to assist conception, including in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and artificial insemination.

Infertility Network UK
Tel: 08701 188088
Website: www.infertilitynetworkuk.com

This article was last medically reviewed by Dr Rob Hicks in July 2006.