SANMINIT Medical Journal
Female infertility, defined as the inability to achieve pregnancy after 12 months of regular, unprotected sexual intercourse in women younger than 35 or after 6 months in women older than 35, represents a major global health concern.[1] Approximately 85% of couples conceive within the first 12 months of adequate, unprotected intercourse, with about 30% to 40% achieving pregnancy within the first 3 months. The lower range reflects real-world factors within the general population, including age, undiagnosed infertility in either partner, lifestyle influences such as obesity and smoking, and subclinical medical conditions that collectively diminish overall fecundability. Population-based studies indicate an average monthly conception probability of 15% to 20%, resulting in a cumulative pregnancy rate of approximately 30% to 40% after 3 months.[2][3]
Approximately 15% of couples worldwide experience infertility, with female factors accounting for about 50% of cases, male factors for 40%, and combined etiologies responsible for the remainder.[4][5] Female infertility carries profound psychological, social, and medical implications that require a comprehensive understanding and management. Advances in assisted reproductive technologies (ART), including in vitro fertilization (IVF), have significantly transformed clinical approaches, although disparities in access, complex underlying causes, financial constraints, and emotional distress continue to pose challenges.[6]
Infertility extends its impact beyond physiological mechanisms, affecting mental health, interpersonal relationships, and social identity. In high-income nations, delayed childbearing driven by career or financial priorities contributes to higher infertility rates, whereas in low-resource regions, infectious diseases remain predominant causes.[7] The psychological burden, often marked by anxiety and depression, reinforces the importance of holistic, interprofessional care.[8]