Christina Charn with son, Alexander, and husband, Kenny. I T Y is defined as the inability to conceive after one year of regular sexual intercourse. About 60 to 70 percent of all couples who try to conceive will succeed within six months. Another 20 percent will conceive within a year. The remaining 10 to 20 percent have a medical condition that interferes with conception.
Infertility is an increasing problem in the United States.
Approximately one quarter of all women can expect to have at least one episode of infertility during their childbearing years. Statistics show that in about 40 percent of cases, the cause of infertility lies in the female. In another 40 percent of cases, the cause lies with the male. Of the remaining number, either both partners have a fertility problem or no cause is ever found, although the number of undiagnosed cases is decreasing as better diagnostic methods are introduced. In order for pregnancy to occur, a man must produce sperm in sufficient quantity and quality and a woman must produce a healthy egg, or ovum.