The causes of infertility for these couples are numerous and are distributed evenly between male and female factors. Approximately 6.2 million women between the ages of 15 and 44 are diagnosed as being infertile. The study revealed a dramatic increase in the numbers of women with impaired fecundity, as well as an increase in women who sought medical treatment. Due to the lack of symptoms, many women frequently do not seek treatment. Those challenged with lower socioeconomic status often lack access to information, insurance and preventive health care.
Endometriosis is a chronic condition that has reproductive and health consequences.
Another frequent finding in African American women are uterine anomalies such as fibroids. Fibroids generally occur in women of reproductive age. They are two to three times more common in African American women than in Caucasian women. An additional consideration in our focus on infertility in African American women is the issue of wellness and quality of life. More than many issues in the field of health within the African American community, the issue of infertility has been least considered, researched, or even discussed among professionals within the health care community.