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Women & Infertility: True or false?

Infertility is a common problem for couples in the U.S. In fact, it's estimated that about 13% of women between the ages of 15 to 49 have trouble getting or staying pregnant. Take this quiz to learn more about fertility in women.

True or false: Infertility is strictly a female problem.

False. Infertility affects men and women. About one-third of infertility cases are associated with women, and another one-third are linked to men. In the remaining one-third, the cause is a mix of male and female issues or is unknown.

True or false: Lifestyle factors do not have any impact on fertility.

False. Smoking, heavy alcohol use, drugs, stress, poor diet, being overweight or underweight, and a history of sexually transmitted infections are all associated with infertility. Athletic training may also make it hard to get pregnant.

True or false: There are only a few treatments for infertility.

False. Infertility can be treated with surgery, medications, artificial insemination or assisted reproductive technologies like in vitro fertilizations (IVF). In IVF, eggs are fertilized with sperm outside the body. After a few days, healthy embryos are implanted in the woman's uterus to grow.

True or false: Aging ovaries are the only reason older women can have pregnancy challenges.

False. Aging ovaries do have a harder time releasing eggs, and the eggs tend to be less healthy than those of a younger woman. But older women are also more likely to have health conditions that can cause fertility problems. A woman's likelihood of having a successful pregnancy drops rapidly every year after the age of 30.

Women who haven't become pregnant after one year of trying should call their doctor to discuss possible causes and, if necessary, treatment options. Women who are 35 and older should consult with a doctor after six months of trying.

Learn more about infertility treatments