title: Infertility--epidemiology and referral practice.
abstract: A questionnaire-based study of infertility has been carried out in two age cohorts of women in a defined geographical region. Women were aged 36-40 years or 46-50 years at the time of the survey. The prevalence of infertility (no conception after 2 years of trying) was approximately 14% in both age cohorts. However, a significantly higher proportion of younger women had sought medical help. In both age cohorts there was a higher incidence of spontaneous abortion among infertile women. These findings suggest no significant increase in the prevalence of infertility over a decade but a considerable increase in the use of medical services.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, UK.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Templeton
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fraser
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Thompson
mesh_terms: D000022:Abortion, Spontaneous / Q000453:epidemiology; D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires