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Infertility

Infertility - What it is

What is infertility?

Infertility is the inability to get pregnant or failure to conceive after one year of regular unprotected sexual intercourse. It can affect 10-15% of couples trying to conceive. Over 80% of couples having regular sexual intercourse should conceive within one year if the woman is below 40 years old.

To get pregnant, there are several processes that must happen. The woman’s body must release an egg from one of her ovaries (ovulation). This egg must go through a fallopian tube toward the womb. The man’s sperm must travel through the vagina, womb and go through the fallopian tube to join with (fertilise) the egg. Then the fertilised egg (embryo) must attach to the inside of the uterus (implantation). Anything that may hinder or interfere with any of these steps may cause infertility. In about about 25-30% of couples, no obvious causes of infertility can be found.

pregnancy test for infertility issues

What are the types of infertility?

Infertility is classified into two main types:

Primary infertility

Primary infertility refers to couples that have never been able to conceive naturally after one year of engaging in unprotected sexual intercourse. This is often diagnosed when there is no successful history of pregnancy and the couple has been trying to conceive for a long time.

Secondary infertility

Secondary infertility refers to couples who have previously conceived naturally and are unable to conceive again after one year of regular unprotected intercourse. This type of infertility can occur after either a live birth, stillbirth, miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy. Secondary infertility may arise due to new health conditions or complications that have developed since the previous conception.

Both types of infertility can be caused by factors affecting either the male, female or both. It is essential to seek medical advice if pregnancy has not occurred after a year of trying, particularly if the woman is over the age of 35.


The information provided is not intended as medical advice. Terms of use. Information provided by SingHealth

Our Care Team

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Sadhana Nadarajah Clin Assoc Prof

Clin Assoc Prof Sadhana Nadarajah

Head & Senior Consultant

Fellow of the Academy of Medicine, Member of the Royal College Of O&G, MBBS

Clinical Interests: Assisted Reproductive Program, Infertility, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, Endocrinology, Adolescent Gynaecology, Reproductive Surgery

Bernard Chern Su Min Clin Assoc Prof

Clin Assoc Prof Bernard Chern Su Min

Senior Consultant

MBBS, MMed (O&G), FRCOG (UK), MRANZCOG, FAMS

Clinical Interests: Laparoscopy & Hysteroscopy, Endometriosis & Robotics Surgery

Jerry Chan Kok Yen Prof

Prof Jerry Chan Kok Yen

Senior Consultant

MB BCh BaO (Hons), MA MRCOG FRCOG PhD FAMS (OBGYN & Clinician Scientist)

Clinical Interests: Assisted Reproductive Program, Infertility, Reproductive Surgery, Endometriosis, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, Andrology, Obstetrics & Gynaecology

Khong Chit Chong Adj Asst Prof

Adj Asst Prof Khong Chit Chong

Senior Consultant

​MBBS, MMed (O&G), AMEC (Aust), FAMS, FRCOG, FRANZCOG

Liu Shuling  Dr

Dr Liu Shuling

Senior Consultant

MBBS (Spore), Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (MRCOG), MMed (O&G) (Spore)

Clinical Interests: Subfertility, Assisted Reproductive Program, Recurrent Pregnancy Loss, Reproductive Surgery

Viardot-Foucault Veronique, Celine  Adj Asst Prof

Adj Asst Prof Viardot-Foucault Veronique, Celine

Senior Consultant

DESC- Diplome d’Etudes Specialisees Complementaires, DES- Diplome d’Etudes Specialisees in Endocrinology, MD- Medical Degree, Master of Sciences

Clinical Interests: Assisted Reproductive Program, Andrology, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, Endocrinology, Adolescent Gynaecology

Goh Siak Ming Dr

Dr Goh Siak Ming

Consultant

MBBS, MMed (O&G), MRCOG (UK), FAMS

Clinical Interests: Endometriosis, Laparoscopy & Hysteroscopy

Lim Poh Ting Dr

Dr Lim Poh Ting

Associate Consultant

Yong Xiaoqi Dr

Dr Yong Xiaoqi

Associate Consultant

MBBS, MRCOG (UK)

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