Infertility means that couples cannot have children. There are many possible causes of infertility. However, intensive research by the pharmaceutical industry continues to increase the chance of family happiness for thousands of couples.
Disease: Infertility
Last update: July 2009
Intro
FAQ
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What is it?
Infertility is when a couple cannot conceive a child or bring a pregnancy to term. -
Who gets it?
In Europe, one in six couples face problems of infertility at some point in their lives. -
What can be done about it?
Biotechnology research over the past ten years has resulted in a complete range of fertility medicines for each stage of the female reproductive cycle, from ovulation through to early pregnancy. Medicines have also been developed for male infertility; these include therapies for erectile dysfunction, low sperm production and low testosterone levels. There have been great strides in IVF (in vitro fertilization). -
What does the future hold?
Research continues into improvements in IVF, ways of avoiding miscarrages or pre-term deliveries and into the understanding of sperm mobility. The prospects for success in treating this heartbreaking condition continue to improve.