Reviewed by medical experts • For informational purposes only
What is infertility: how it is defined, primary and secondary types, who is affected and why early evaluation helps.
Infertility means not being able to conceive after a period of regular, unprotected sex. It is a medical condition, it is common, and it is not anyone's fault.
How it is defined
Primary and secondary
Who is affected
Roughly one in six couples worldwide faces infertility. In about a third of cases the cause is mainly in the woman, in about a third mainly in the man, and the rest involve both or remain unexplained. Both partners should be checked.
The good news
Many causes can be treated, and many couples conceive with simple measures, medicines or assisted reproduction. Outcomes depend on age and cause, so seeing a specialist early helps.
Infertility can bring stress, grief and pressure from family. Support, counselling and open talk between partners matter.
Ayurvedic view
Ayurveda describes difficulty conceiving as vandhyatva and discusses it in terms of healthy shukra (male reproductive tissue) and artava (female reproductive tissue). This is an interpretive framework and not a proven explanation.
Key point
Infertility is a shared medical issue. Early evaluation of both partners gives the best chance.
Before your appointment
Come as a couple if you can. Note how long you have been trying, cycle length and regularity, past pregnancies, surgeries, infections and medicines. Bring past reports and, if available, a semen analysis. List supplements and herbs you take, along with smoking, alcohol and exercise habits. Ask about tests, treatment options, costs, success rates and the warning signs that mean you should call 112 or 102.
Written By
Dr. Daksh
BDS
Reviewed By
Dr. Varun Gupta
MD Pharmacology, MBBS
Last updated on
27 Sep 2022 • 06:23 PM (IST)
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