How common are fertility issues in the general population?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Fertility issues affect an estimated 10–15% of couples trying to conceive, making infertility one of the most common reproductive health challenges worldwide. Both male and female factors can play a role, including hormonal imbalances, ovulation disorders, sperm quality, age, and underlying medical conditions.

If you or your partner have been trying to conceive without success, or if you're noticing symptoms that concern you, the fastest way to gain clarity is to take an instant, free, and confidential symptom check. In just a few minutes, you'll receive personalized insights that can help you understand what might be going on and guide your next steps—whether that's monitoring at home or speaking with a specialist. Early awareness often leads to better outcomes, so there's no reason to wait.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/15/2026

Quick answers

Frequently Asked Questions

4 answers

The most common questions people search after this page

Concerned about your symptoms?

Start a symptom check

Explanation

Fertility issues are quite common and affect many couples around the world. According to the medical literature, about 10-15% of couples face challenges when trying to conceive. Infertility is defined as not being able to get pregnant after a year of trying for women under 35, or after six months for women 35 and older.

Causes of Infertility:

Female Factors: Issues like problems with ovulation, blocked fallopian tubes, or conditions like endometriosis.
Male Factors: Problems with sperm production or function.

Diagnosis and Management:

Doctors use different tests to find out why a couple is having trouble getting pregnant. This can include blood tests, imaging tests, or checking the health of the sperm.
If you're experiencing symptoms that may be related to fertility concerns, our free AI symptom checker can help you understand potential underlying conditions and guide your next steps.
Treatments might involve lifestyle changes, medications, or procedures like in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Understanding these issues can help couples seek the right help and explore their options for starting a family.

(References)

Carson SA, & Kallen AN. (2021). Diagnosis and Management of Infertility: A Review. JAMA, 34228062.
Vander Borght M, & Wyns C. (2018). Fertility and infertility: Definition and epidemiology. Clinical biochemistry, 29555319.
Aghajanova L, Hoffman J, Mok-Lin E, & Herndon CN. (2017). Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency and Fertility Needs. Reproductive sciences (Thousand Oaks, Calif.), 27368879.

Tell your friends about us.

We would love to help them too.

For First Time Users

What is Ubie’s Doctor’s Note?

We provide a database of explanations from real doctors on a range of medical topics. Get started by exploring our library of questions and topics you want to learn more about.

Was this page helpful?

Purpose and positioning of servicesUbie Doctor's Note is a service for informational purposes. The provision of information by physicians, medical professionals, etc. is not a medical treatment. If medical treatment is required, please consult your doctor or medical institution. We strive to provide reliable and accurate information, but we do not guarantee the completeness of the content. If you find any errors in the information, please contact us.