Is Infertility Becoming More Common?

Written by Marjorie Greenfield, M.D. Reviewed by Marjorie Greenfield, M.D. | 19 April 2010
Posted in Pre-Conception

We hear so much these days about infertility in the news and from friends and acquaintances, it may seem like the condition is on the increase.  We hear so much these days about infertility in the news and from friends and acquaintances, it may seem like the condition is on the increase. This is certainly a frightening thought for everyone who hopes to have children someday. However, it is important to take a step back and look at the facts. Age for age, the proportion of couples with infertility hasn't changed much from previous generations. For women of comparable age, there has been only a very slight increase in the proportion of couples considered infertile over the past decades. This minimal rise may be a result of sexually transmitted infections or some unknown effect of environmental hazards, but the numbers still don't account for the perception of rampant fertility problems. • There is a raised public consciousness about infertility. What has changed, however, is the societal acceptance of talking about fertility trouble. Decades ago, infertility was kept a shameful secret, but that's not so much the case anymore. Add to that the fact that more and more treatment options are available--some of which are dramatic and have been publicized on television and in print--and there's no question that the fertility problems are receiving greater visibility than ever before. • More older couples are trying to conceive. Age definitely increases the risk of fertility problems, and one in five first pregnancies now occur in women over the age of 35. In addition, the large number of baby boomers can be linked to the increase of older couples now seeking fertility care. Age affects fertility in a variety of ways: Accumulated damage to the fallopian tubes, endometriosis, ovulation irregularities, a higher miscarriage rate, and an age-related reduction in frequency of intercourse all can play a role in higher infertility rates in older couples. One-third of women who delay pregnancy until their mid- to late 30s will have a fertility problem, as will more than half of women who don't try to get pregnant until their 40s. With men, there may be an increased risk of birth defects for fathers over 40, but the ability to fertilize generally is preserved.