Often, couples that are having difficulty conceiving a child look around at friends and family members and assume that achieving pregnancy should be easy. Not so. Humans are among the least fertile creatures on the planet. Conception is possible for only a short time during the female menstrual cycle - giving couples only about a 20 percent chance of becoming pregnant in any given month. In fact, the medical community defines "normal" fertility as the ability to naturally conceive within one year.
The good news is, in recent decades, dramatic advances have been made in reproductive medicine that offer greater hope to couples who wish to start a family.
This quick quiz can help you learn more.
In almost all cases, infertility is traced to the female partner.
TrueFalseIncorrect. Approximately 55 percent of the time it is related to the female and 25 percent of the time it is related to the male. Unknown causes account for about 17% of cases, and there are cases in which infertility is traced to both partners.
Correct! Approximately 55 percent of the time it is related to the female and 25 percent of the time it is related to the male. Unknown causes account for about 17% of cases, and there are cases in which infertility is traced to both partners.
Eggs are fertilized by sperm in the fallopian tubes.
TrueFalseCorrect! The fertilized egg then travels to the uterus where it attaches itself to the uterine lining.
Incorrect. The fertilized egg then travels to the uterus where it attaches itself to the uterine lining.
Older women respond well to ovulation-inducing medications.
TrueFalseIncorrect. Fertility declines significantly by the mid to late 30s. Therefore, older women often do not respond well to ovulation-inducing medications.
Correct! Fertility declines significantly by the mid to late 30s. Therefore, older women often do not respond well to ovulation-inducing medications.
The shape of sperm can indicate the cause of infertility.
TrueFalseCorrect! Other sperm quality indicators are concentration (amount) and movement ability.
Incorrect. Other sperm quality indicators are concentration (amount) and movement ability.
Smoking cigarettes has little effect on fertility.
TrueFalseIncorrect.Cigarettes and marijuana reduce sperm count and cause harm to the ovaries.
Correct! Cigarettes and marijuana reduce sperm count and cause harm to the ovaries.
Tests to uncover the cause of infertility are only marginally successful.
TrueFalseIncorrect. Couples are well advised to seek medical help, since the cause of infertility can be determined in 85 percent of cases.
Correct! Couples are well advised to seek medical help, since the cause of infertility can be determined in 85 percent of cases.
Counseling and education are sometimes all that's required for couples seeking treatment.
TrueFalseCorrect! However, a range of highly sophisticated treatments is also available to those who need further help, including assisted reproductive technologies.
Incorrect. However, a range of highly sophisticated treatments is also available to those who need further help, including assisted reproductive technologies.
Tubal ligations and vasectomies are not reversible.
TrueFalseIncorrect. The degree of success varies, but procedures to reverse tubal ligations and vasectomies can restore fertility.
Correct! The degree of success varies, but procedures to reverse tubal ligations and vasectomies can restore fertility.
For In vitro fertilization healthy eggs and sperm are needed from the couple trying to conceive.
TrueFalseCorrect! However, in instances where egg or sperm quality is poor, some couples choose to use the eggs and/or sperm of a donor.
Incorrect. However, in instances where egg or sperm quality is poor, some couples choose to use the eggs and/or sperm of a donor.
