But for the 1 in 10 people in this country with fertility problems, becoming and staying pregnant can be a costly, physically taxing and emotionally draining ordeal. Today, about half of all infertile couples who obtain treatment ultimately achieve pregnancy. Infertility is a disorder of the reproductive system that impairs the body's ability to conceive a baby or sustain a pregnancy.
Infertility affects males and females in equal numbers.
Doctors generally diagnose infertility and initiate diagnostic testing after one year of unsuccessful, well-timed attempts at getting pregnant. An estimated 6.1 million people of reproductive age in this country are infertile. While in vitro fertilization and related high-tech treatments get the most publicity, the ASRM points out that these technologies account for less than 5 percent of infertility services rendered in the United States. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice. It may not represent your true individual medical situation.