A survey of infertility, surgical sterility and associated reproductive disability in Perth, Western Australia
Webb, S.; Holman, D.
Australian Journal of Public Health 16(4): 376-381
1992
ISSN/ISBN: 1035-7319 PMID: 1296786 DOI: 10.1111/j.1753-6405.1992.tb00084.xDocument Number: 328034
In September-December 1988 in Australia, at least 1495 couples in metropolitan Perth completed a questionnaire as a part of a study to measure the extent of infertility (inability to conceive after 12 months on unprotected intercourse) and sterility (surgical procedure responsible for end of reproductive function) and to examine their characteristics and associations. 22.6% of all couples had no children. 53 couples (3.5%) suffered from current infertility. It was highest among 30-34 year old women (4.2%). 285 women (19.1%) had experienced infertility at some time in their lives. Lifetime cumulative incidence of ever having been infertile was 22.8%. Lifetime infertility was significantly associated with multiple sexual partners (p = .04), pelvic inflammatory disease (p = .0001), and appendicitis with rupture (p .0001). Tubal pathology and male problems were the leading causes of infertility. 555 couples (37.1%) experienced surgical sterility. Just 2% of these 555 couples had an associated reproductive disability (inability to achieve desired level of reproductive function). Sterility prevalence was greatest among 40-44 year old women (72.2%). Contraceptive sterilization was the major reason for surgical sterility. 47 couples (3.1%) had reproductive disability. They comprised 36 infertile couples and 11 surgically sterile couples. 10 of the surgically sterile couples regretted their decision to undergo sterilization. 48.9% of all reproductive disabled couples had at least 1 child. 23 of the 47 couples sought medical treatment for reproductive disability. Reproductive disability peaked at 30-34 years old (female partner's age). Medical intervention allowed .9% of all women (14 women) in the survey to conceive. These results indicated a need to develop a strategy to prevent reproductive disability, especially infertility.