Both the need and the desire to have children are very basic. Most people plan to have children at some point in their lives, and many assume that when they are ready they will be able to conceive without trouble. Keep in mind the following facts as you think about fertility:

• For most couples, the likelihood of becoming pregnant after one month of unprotected intercourse is approximately 25%, increasing to 85-90% after one year. Unfortunately, approximately 10-15% of couples desiring children in the United States are infertile.

• Fertility requires normal ovulation (the production and release of mature eggs), sperm, and a way for the eggs and sperm to get together. Infertility is NOT a sexual disorder. Rather it is a compromise of the reproductive system that can be caused by a number of factors.

• A couple under age 35 should undergo a fertility evaluation if conception does not occur within a year. Couples over 35 should pursue a fertility evaluation after attempting for six months. A woman using artificial insemination should ask her physician about an infertility evaluation after six months. Couples over 40 should seriously consider a reproductive evaluation within several months of trying.

• The actual diagnosis of infertility is an important predictor of pregnancy success and the ultimate guide to treatment options. In general, infertility is diagnosed as a female problem in 35% of cases, a male problem in 35%, a combined problem in 20%, and unexplained in 10%.

• There are many options available to help women and men address infertility. The medical and surgical procedures offered by the UCSF Center for Reproductive Health are described in the services section of this site. Other options, such as adoption and foster parenthood can also be considered.

Read more about fertility:

• The Menstrual Cycle
• How Conception Works
• Male Reproduction
• Risk Factors
• What You Can Do: Tips to Reduce Your Risk