It refers to when a couple have been unable to conceive after 12 months of unprotected sexual intercourse. About one in 6 Australian couples of reproductive age experiences fertility problems.

There are many causes of infertility. For about 2 in 5 couples it will be due to a sperm problem; in another 2 in 5 couples, there will be a problem with the woman's reproductive system. Sometimes it will be due to a combination of factors — or there will be no apparent cause.

If you are a woman, your fertility may be affected by:

• your age
• problems with your fallopian tubes
• endometriosis or an ovulation problem
• polycystic ovarian syndrome
• any fibroids
• if you have pelvic inflammatory disease or a sexually transmitted infection (STI)
• your weight and if you smoke

Adult male fertility may be affected by:

• problems with the tubes that connect to the testes
• low sperm production
• high numbers of abnormal sperm
• making antibodies that attack sperm
• genetic problems
• problems with the sperm DNA

Resources and support

For more information and support, try these resources:

• Your Fertility
• Jean Hailes for Women’s Health
• Healthy Male