Infertility is a fairly prevalent condition that affects millions of American couples. While the condition itself can be devastating news to potential parents, medical technology has evolved to offer a number of treatment options. In vitro fertilization has become one of the most publicized alternatives to the condition of infertility, but few people are aware of the small percentage of couples who qualify for the procedure. In fact, medical professionals typically offer other methods of fertility treatments prior to recommending in vitro procedures. Listed below are some common qualifiers for patients interested in pursuing in vitro fertilization.

Infertility in men is about as common as infertility in women. Infertility is described as the inability to conceive after about one year of sexual intercourse without the use of contraceptives. If age is a factor, then you may want to consult a doctor or infertility specialist after about six months of trying, as fertility decreases with age. Some causes for infertility can be harder to treat the longer they are left without intervention, so don’t hesitate to seek advice early if you suspect that infertility may be a factor for you.

Many people may be infertile during their reproductive years. They may be unaware of this because they are not seeking to create a pregnancy. On any one occasion, the chance of pregnancy is just one percent. About one in seven couples in the United States are infertile. Age, lifestyle and physical problems can all contribute to infertility.