Human fertility definition

So what exactly is the meaning of fertility? This might seem like a very simple question, but a lot of people aren't quite sure about the answer! Let's help explain. We'll also discuss the meanings of infertility and sterility.

What is fertility?

The capability of producing healthy offspring through normal sexual activity!

The health of the entire reproductive system is looked at to determine the degree of how fertile a man or woman is.

Even though our fertility definition covers both genders, let's look a little more in depth as to what this means for men and women separately -

Fertility definition for men

Fertility definition for women

What is infertility?

Medical experts describe infertility as the failure to conceive after one year of unprotected sexual intercourse - this term applies for both men and women. Once a female reaches the age of 35, this time period decreases to six months.

A full evaluation by a physician is required to determine the cause of infertility. Certain common health disorders or medications can contribute towards delayed conception. Monitoring of existing medical conditions may be required, or adjustments to any prescription medications. If a problem is diagnosed within the reproductive system, treatments may be possible to help restore fertility.

Infertility may only be a temporary condition. It can be brought about by numerous factors such as poor nutrition, lifestyle (bad habits) toxins, environmental issues, or even just bad timing. A change to a healthier way of living (for both partners) can influence your chances of becoming parents.

Primary infertility - this is when a couple have never achieved a successful pregnancy.

Secondary infertility - a couple who have previously had at least one child, but have been trying to conceive unsuccessfully for a year.

Sub-fertility - described as having a diminished (less than normal) reproductive capacity. Such examples may be a woman who has been diagnosed with fibroids, or a man with a low sperm count result. This term is often used interchangeably with the word infertility.

Repeated miscarriages - Although miscarriage is a fairly common occurrence, when a woman experiences two or more consecutive miscarriages this may also be termed as infertility.

Unexplained infertility - a common diagnosis from doctors, which means that no identifiable medical explanation has been found.

What is sterility?

A person may have been born with a genetic disorder, structural defect, or a missing sexual organ. Complications from disease, injury, or surgery may also lead to sterility (irreversible damage or severe scar tissue). In certain circumstances (such as cancer) surgical removal of part of the reproductive tract may have been necessary. Options for couples in this situation may include sperm or egg donors, surrogacy, and also adoption.

This website is for general knowledge purposes only. The information provided is NOT intended to prevent or cure any disease. Please visit a qualified medical expert for a proper diagnosis and treatment for any health disorder.