Is Infertility on the Rise?

With overwhelming news, information and treatments available on the topic these days, it’s easy to feel like infertility is becoming a greater problem by the second.

But according to experts, infertility rates have actually remained fairly stable over the past two decades.

In Dr. John Gordon and Dr. Michael DiMattina’s book, “100 Questions & Answers About Infertility,” the authors explore the reality of infertility rates in the U.S.

The doctors refer to infertility as an “extraordinarily common disorder.” But they also point out that infertility rates in the U.S. have remained about the same since the late 1980s.

This news follows a period of decreased fertility rates in the early 1980s, although many believe this is mostly due to the increased number of women who reached their reproductive age at that time.

In the 1960s and 1970s, the U.S. infertility rate also grew, likely due to an increase in pelvic inflammatory disease in women, which can cause damage to the fallopian tubes.

But today the infertility rate – although surprisingly high – seems to be leveling out. So why do we get the feeling infertility is skyrocketing? Doctors Gordon and DiMattina suggest three reasons for this phenomenon.

Number one, society is much more open in discussing fertility issues today than they were even 10 or 15 years ago. There are many organizations serving infertile couples, far more information available on the causes of infertility and an abundance of outlets – including on the internet – for infertile couples to turn to for support and resources.

Secondly, women in today’s Western society are waiting longer to start their families. According to research, the average age for women beginning to build a family has risen above 30 – when Infertility rates naturally increase due to the normal process of aging.

Finally, some of the stigma that used to exist surrounding infertility treatments – such as In Vitro Fertilization or Embryo Donation and Adoption – is beginning to decrease, the doctors say. This means more couples are actively pursuing treatment and are less afraid to talk about it with friends and family.

So the good news, according to these experts, is that the infertility rate is not increasing. The bad news, of course, is that infertility is still a major problem for millions of couples in the U.S. and around the world.

Read more about the option of Embryo Donation and Adoption here.

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