Prevalence of infertility in the United States as estimated by the current duration approach and a traditional constructed approach

Abstract

Objective To estimate the prevalence of infertility using a current duration approach for comparison with a traditional constructed measure. Design Cross-sectional survey. Setting National Survey of Family Growth, United States, 2002. Participants A nationally-representative sample of females aged 15–44 years. Interventions None Main Outcome Measure(s) Infertility prevalence estimated by two approaches: 1) a constructed measure derived from questions on sexual activity, contraception, relationship status, and pregnancy, and 2) a measure based on estimated time-to-pregnancy (TTP) derived from the respondents’ current duration of pregnancy attempt (i.e., current duration approach). Associations with self-reported descriptive characteristics using weighted logistic regression or parametric survival models for each respective approach. Results Infertility prevalence was approximately twofold higher using the current duration approach (15.5%; 95% CI: 8.6, 27.5) versus the constructed measure (7.0%; 95% CI: 6.2, 7.8). Both methods identified similar patterns of increasing age, lower education, nulliparity, and history of gynecologic disorders as being associated with measures of impaired fecundity, while opposing patterns were seen for racial/ethnic identification and poverty status. Conclusions Infertility prevalence based on a current duration approach was consistent with other U.S. prospective cohort studies with preconception enrollment. These findings underscore the importance of definition and methodologic approach for estimating the prevalence of infertility.

Processed Meat Intake Is Unfavorably and Fish Intake Favorably Associated with Semen Quality Indicators among Men Attending a Fertility Clinic

“…Semen quality indicators were adjusted for age, total energy intake, BMI, race, smoking status, abstinence interval, previous infertility diagnosis, and dietary patterns. 2 Includes canned tuna and other dark meat fish (e.g., salmon, bluefish, etc.). 3 Includes breaded fish cakes and other white meat fish (e.g., cod, haddock, halibut).…”

“…One in 6 couples trying to conceive experience infertility (1,2), and abnormalities in semen quality are identified in ;50% of couples evaluated for infertility (3). Although body weight (4,5) and smoking (6) are well-characterized risk factors for low semen quality and male factor infertility, few other modifiable risk factors are currently known.…”

Dairy intake and fecundability in 2 preconception cohort studies

“…Approximately 10-15% of couples experience infertility, clinically defined as the inability to conceive after 12 mo of unprotected intercourse (1). Few modifiable risk factors for infertility have been identified.…”

Men Ejaculate Larger Volumes of Semen, More Motile Sperm, and More Quickly when Exposed to Images of Novel Women

“…Future studies should evaluate whether decreased investment in ejaculate parameters with repeated exposure to the same female stimulus occurs using different experimental conditions. Six sexual encounters over the course of a 2-week period, as used in our study, would have a low likelihood of conception (Zinaman et al 1996;Thoma et al 2013). As a result, habituation effects may be seen after more prolonged exposure.…”