Fertility Facts

Infertility affects about 15% of couples globally, meaning that one in every six couples struggles with conceiving a child (World Health Organization). In Australia, infertility affects around 186,000 women of reproductive age and approximately 25% of couples who are trying to conceive (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare).

Approximately one-third of infertility cases can be attributed to female factors, one-third to male factors, and the remaining one-third to a combination of both or unexplained causes (American Society for Reproductive Medicine).

Infertility can affect both men and women, with an estimated 48.5 million couples worldwide experiencing infertility (World Health Organization).

Female age is a significant factor in infertility, with fertility rates declining as a woman ages, particularly after 35 years old (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists).

Male infertility factors include low sperm count, poor sperm motility, and abnormal sperm morphology, which collectively contribute to around 40% to 50% of infertility cases (American Society for Reproductive Medicine).

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common cause of female infertility, affecting 5% to 10% of women of reproductive age.

Endometriosis, a condition where tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, affects around 15% of women of reproductive age and can contribute to infertility (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists).

Approximately 20% of infertility cases in Australia are due to unexplained factors, meaning that no specific cause can be identified after thorough testing.

About 85% of couples with regular unprotected intercourse achieve pregnancy within one year, while 93% achieve pregnancy within two years (National Institutes of Health).

Lifestyle factors such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and obesity can negatively impact fertility in both men and women (American Society for Reproductive Medicine).

In Australia, around 3.1% of all babies born are conceived using assisted reproductive technology (ART), such as in-vitro fertilization (IVF) (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare).

The success rate of IVF treatments in Australia varies based on several factors, including age, with women under 35 having a 32.9% chance of a live birth per cycle, while women aged 40-44 have around a 11.5% chance (Australian & New Zealand Assisted Reproduction Database).

Around 1% of couples experience recurrent pregnancy loss, defined as having two or more consecutive miscarriages (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists).

Assisted reproductive technology (ART), such as in-vitro fertilization (IVF), has helped millions of couples worldwide achieve pregnancy, with over 8 million babies born through IVF since 1978 (International Committee Monitoring Assisted Reproductive Technologies). In 2019, there were over 14,000 live births in Australia resulting from ART treatments, a significant increase from the 5,000 live births recorded in 2002 (Australian & New Zealand Assisted Reproduction Database).

The success rate of IVF treatments varies based on several factors, including age, with women under 35 having a 40% chance of a live birth per cycle, while women aged 41-42 have around a 15% chance (Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology).

Preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) can be used in IVF to identify embryos with chromosomal abnormalities, improving the chances of a successful pregnancy and reducing the risk of miscarriage (American Society for Reproductive Medicine).

The use of donor sperm or eggs is an option for couples facing infertility due to poor egg or sperm quality, with approximately 12% of IVF cycles in the United States using donor eggs (Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology). Approximately 11% of IVF cycles in Australia using donor eggs (Australian & New Zealand Assisted Reproduction Database).

Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is another fertility treatment option, with success rates varying depending on factors such as female age and the cause of infertility ( 10-18%)

The average cost of an IVF cycle in Australia ranges from AUD $8,000 to $15,000, with some government funding and private health insurance options available to help cover expenses.

Fertility preservation through IVF( egg freezing or embryo freezing) has become an option for future fertility preservation.