ABSTRACT
This chapter addresses the prevalence of infertility in the United State (US) population and its demographic sub-groups over time, and presents evidence from the US and other developed countries regarding the risk of infertility associated with various exposures. Cohort differences in the desired number of and timing of children will influence the identified level of infertility by adding or removing couples from the population seeking pregnancy. The chapter considers the fertility effects of medical treatments including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and prenatal diethylstilbestrol exposure, and addresses occupational and environmental exposures. One non-sexually-transmitted infection responsible for infertility in males is mumps. The increases in infertility among young and childless couples may be related to increases in sexually transmitted diseases. The universe of sexually active couples also includes an additional number who are unaware of subfecundity because they are practicing contraception, but who would be infertile if not using contraception.
