Epidemiology

Infertility is a major disease worldwide. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 1 in 6 people experience infertility at some point in their lives, with an estimated lifetime prevalence of 17.5% and a period prevalence of 12.6%.[7] Infertility rates are similar in high- and middle- or low-income countries, but data are limited for some regions (particularly the WHO Southeast Asian, Eastern Mediterranean, and African regions).[7]

​In the US, it is estimated that 8.5% of married women ages 15-49 years have difficulty getting pregnant after 1 year of trying.[8]​ About 10% of women in the US report receiving fertility services to help get pregnant at some point in their lives.[9]​ Similar trends are seen in the UK, with around 1 in 7 heterosexual couples being affected by infertility.[1]

In its 2021 Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) report, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identified female factors in around 60% of ART cycles: 10.4% tubal, 14.3% ovulatory dysfunction, 26.9% diminished ovarian reserve, 6.5% endometriosis, and 5.8% uterine. Male factors were detected in 27.8% of ART cycles and unknown factors in 10.5% of ART cycles.[10] In about 40% of cases, disorders are found in both the man and the woman.[1]

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