Infertility Issues

Infertility is a common condition, affecting up to 1 in 5 couples in Australia. It is defined as the inability to conceive after a year of regular unprotected intercourse, or the inability to carry pregnancies to a live birth.

The most common causes of infertility are:

  1. Tubal factors - blocked or damaged tubes
  2. Ovulation problems - related to hormonal factors and influenced by being underweight or overweight, including the polycystic ovary syndrome
  3. Sperm problems
  4. Endometriosis
  5. Advancing age in the female partner - fertility decreases with age

At least 30% of infertility is due to a combination of male and female factors and up to 10% of infertility remains unexplained.

It is important that infertility is viewed as a condition affecting the couple and the couple should always be consulted, investigated and managed together.

Many infertility conditions are easily treatable and can be investigated and managed by the doctors in our practice.

If a couple requires more complex treatments, eg IVF, we can offer you continuity of care through the University of Adelaide's Reproductive Medicine Unit (Repromed).

The experience of infertility can be very stressful and frustrating and can lead to relationship problems. These stresses should never be underestimated and counselling can be extremely beneficial.

For more detailed information regarding infertility investigations and treatments please see the Repromed website.

Copyright © 2003 Dr M Ritossa, Dr D Munday and Dr J Semmler

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