Why is infertility increasing

Several recent reports have confirmed what many people have suspected for some time: that infertility rates in the UK are rising. This is not a new phenomenon, there has been a dramatic increase in infertility over the last 60 years or so. We are not alone in this, in fact, the rise in infertility is reflected throughout the developed world.

Is this a purely social phenomenon resulting from the fact that better education and career opportunities have led to women delaying motherhood until their mids when fertility starts to decline?

Or are there more complex factors at play? Are infertility rates in the UK rising because of environmental factors taking a toll on sperm quality? And what can individuals, who may not even be sure that they want to become parents in the future, do to keep their options open by protecting their fertility? A report published by the Office for National Statistics in August confirmed that the birth rate in England and Wales had reached a new low during The report shows that from a high point of Infertility treatments, including medications and procedures such as IVF, can help couples overcome infertility and achieve pregnancy.

Whether or not someone will be able to overcome their infertility will depend on their unique circumstances, age, and medical history. Skip to main content Search for a topic or drug.

Infertility statistics How many couples are affected by infertility? Top Reads in News. FDA approves first insulin biosimilar Jul. Looking for a prescription? Search now! Type your drug name. A recently released year study also showed that sperm count has declined significantly since the s, which suggests both environmental and lifestyle factors.

In addition to age and environmental factors, the western lifestyle is also reducing the general fertility rates. Smoking and being either over-weight or significantly under-weight are known to have the biggest impact on fertility and the chances of conception. Although fertility rates are decreasing, there are also more choices available for people experiencing fertility problems. We see a lot of people who wait too long to see us, and when it comes to conception, timing is everything.

When it comes to planning a child there are many considerations prospective parents need to navigate, making the decision to have a child for some, is a challenging one. An infertile woman or couple may also use donor embryos. These are embryos that were either created by couples in infertility treatment or were created from donor sperm and donor eggs. The donated embryo is transferred to the uterus. The child will not be genetically related to either parent.

Women with ovaries but no uterus may be able to use a gestational carrier. In this case, a woman uses her own egg. Preimplantation genetic testing is a procedure used to identify genetic disorders or chromosomal abnormalities in embryos created during an IVF cycle.

One or more cells are biopsied from each embryo and sent for testing. These procedures used to be referred to as preimplantation genetic screening PGS and preimplantation genetic diagnosis PGD. Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link. Reproductive Health. Section Navigation. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Syndicate. Infertility FAQs. Minus Related Pages.

Open All Close All. What is infertility? Is infertility a common problem? Is infertility just a woman's problem? What causes infertility in men? The heat may affect the number or shape of the sperm. Trauma to the testes may affect sperm production and result in lower number of sperm. Unhealthy habits such as heavy alcohol use, smoking, anabolic steroid use, and illicit drug use.

Use of certain medications and supplements. Cancer treatment involving the use of certain types of chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery to remove one or both testicles Medical conditions such as diabetes, cystic fibrosis, certain types of autoimmune disorders, and certain types of infections may cause testicular failure.

Hormonal disorders Improper function of the hypothalamus or pituitary glands. The hypothalamus and pituitary glands in the brain produce hormones that maintain normal testicular function.

Production of too much prolactin, a hormone made by the pituitary gland often due to the presence of a benign pituitary gland tumor , or other conditions that damage or impair the function of the hypothalamus or the pituitary gland may result in low or no sperm production. Although advanced age plays a much more important role in predicting female infertility, couples in which the male partner is 40 years old or older are more likely to report difficulty conceiving.

Being overweight or obese. Excessive alcohol use. Use of marijuana. Exposure to testosterone. This may occur when a doctor prescribes testosterone injections, implants, or topical gel for low testosterone, or when a man takes testosterone or similar medications illicitly for the purposes of increasing their muscle mass. Exposure to radiation. Frequent exposure of the testes to high temperatures, such as that which may occur in men confined to a wheelchair, or through frequent sauna or hot tub use.

Exposure to certain medications such as flutamide, cyproterone, bicalutamide, spironolactone, ketoconazole, or cimetidine. Exposure to environmental toxins including exposure to pesticides, lead, cadmium, or mercury. What causes infertility in women? Some women with PCOS have elevated levels of testosterone, which can cause acne and excess hair growth. PCOS is the most common cause of female infertility.

Diminished ovarian reserve external icon DOR. Women are born with all of the eggs that they will ever have, and the number of eggs declines naturally over time.