What is the Difference Between Fertility and Infertility?

Fertility refers to the natural ability of a man or woman to produce an offspring, while infertility occurs when there are biological factors affecting this ability. Infertility is defined as the inability to achieve pregnancy after 12 months of regular and unprotected sexual intercourse. Both men and women can contribute to infertility, with various factors affecting their ability to conceive.

Some common causes of infertility in men include:

• Low sperm count
• Abnormalities in sperm movement and function
• Blockage preventing the delivery of sperm

In women, some common causes of infertility include:

• Abnormal uterus or fallopian tubes
• Secondary infertility, often due to reproductive tract infections

Infertility is diagnosed by a doctor when a couple has been trying to conceive for 12 months without success, or after 6 months if the woman is older than 35 years of age. Fertility tests for both men and women are available, with men typically undergoing a semen analysis to check sperm count and women undergoing various tests to assess their reproductive health. Treatment options for infertility depend on the factors contributing to it, the duration of infertility, the age of the female, and the couple's treatment preference after counseling about success rates, risks, and benefits of each treatment option.

Comparative Table: Fertility vs Infertility

Fertility and infertility are two contrasting aspects of reproductive health. Here is a table highlighting the differences between the two:

In summary, fertility refers to the ability to conceive and produce offspring, while infertility is the inability to conceive after one year (or longer) of unprotected sex. Both men and women can be affected by fertility and infertility issues, and various treatment options are available for both conditions.