Female infertility

Female infertility refers to infertility in women, which is the inability to conceive after sexual intercourse. In 2021, it affected an estimated 110 million women globally. This represents an increase of 84.44% in prevalence since 1990, and is expected to continue to rise. Increases reflect structural aging in populations and the impact of risk factors such as delayed childbearing age, occupational stress, and environmental pollution.

Female infertility varies widely by region, with elevated risks in areas of high-medium sociodemographic index (SDI). It affects one in seven couples in developed countries and one in four in developing countries. Regions such as North Africa and the Middle East display high rates of primary infertility but low rates of secondary infertility while Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia show lower incidence of primary infertility and higher prevalence of secondary infertility.

Fertility is affected by a variety of factors, including malformations of the uterus, hormones, disease, nutritional status, and pollution. Infertility affects women from around the world, and the social stigmas affecting infertile women may vary from region to region.