Prevalence

Depending on the type of definition used, the estimated overall prevalence of infertility worldwide is 9%, with 56% of those affected choosing to seek medical care (9). In the United Kingdom, it is es­timated that infertility affects one in seven heterosexual couples— a rate which is consistent with reports from other European countries (10).

Despite an increase in numbers of couples seeking fertility treat­ment, the overall prevalence rates for infertility across 190 countries have remained essentially unchanged between 1990 and 2010 (7).