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			Concern Treatment Pregnancy Experiences Concern Evaluating Your Fertility Understanding Fertility Maximise Your Fertility Infertility: An Introduction The Good News How Long Should We Give It? A Growing Concern Some Definitions Infertility in Females Infertility in Males Implications of Infertility Questions to Ask Your Doctor		Some Definitions Doctors and fertility specialists use a range of terms in association with fertility and infertility. Infertility Infertility is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as: “the inability of a couple to achieve conception or bring a pregnancy to term after a year or more of regular, unprotected sexual intercourse.” Reduced fertility or Subfertility Complete infertility is unusual. Much more common is reduced fertility in one or both partners. For this reason, some doctors prefer to use the term subfertility, which describes a delay or difficulty in getting pregnant. Primary Infertility The failure of a couple to have any children at all is termed primary infertility. Secondary Infertility Couples who have already conceived and had an abortion, or have produced a first child but have great difficulty in adding to their family, are said to have secondary infertility. Approximately 40% of infertile couples have primary infertility, while 60% experience secondary infertility. Over time, and especially with medical intervention, many subfertile couples do go on to conceive and deliver a child.
			© 2003-2008 Merck Serono S.A. Please read our Legal Statement. US residents should consult the Serono, Inc. fertility website at www.fertilitylifelines.com Last Updated: 5/6/2008