BMJ  2007;335:608-611 (22 September), doi:10.1136/bmj.39324.662049.80

Clinical Review

Management of infertility

Leeds General Infirmary, Leeds LS2 9NS

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

Around 9% of couples are affected by infertility and half of them seek help The most important determinant of a couple's fertility is the woman's age Demographic trends to delay childbearing mean that more older women are having problems trying to conceive Lifestyle has a profound effect on fertility—obesity, smoking, alcohol, and recreational drugs negatively affect the chance of conception and pregnancy outcome Male infertility may be increasing, possibly because of environmental pollution Success rates of in vitro fertilisation may improve with a better understanding of embryo physiology

Around 9% of couples are involuntarily childless. At least a quarter of couples experience unexpected delays in achieving their desired family size,¹ although only a half seek treatment. In recent years, publicity about infertility treatments has increased, and couples are now more willing to seek advice. The first of these two brief reviews covers the main causes of infertility, with particular reference . . . [Full text of this article]

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