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Infertility: Failure to conceive (regardless of cause) after 1 year of unprotected intercourse. Up to 15% of couples of reproductive age are affected. Trend by many women to delay child-bearing is also a factor. Both male and female factors are involved in infertility, each gender accounting for approximately 35% of cases: combination of male and female factors accounts for 20% of infertility cases; in remaining 10%, etiology is not known. Some couples have normal results of standard infertility tests for infertility; postulated etiologies are: dysfunctional interaction between sperm and oocyte; poor quality of embryo; disruption at implantation site. Identifying a mutation or absence of a specific gene as reason for infertility may be possible in the future. Certain lifestyle factors have been linked to risk of infertility: environmental and occupational factors; toxic effects related to tobacco, marijuana, or other drugs; excessive exercise; inadequate diet associated with extreme weight loss or gain; advanced age. Drugs associated with development of infertility are: antineoplastic therapies (cyclophosphamide, chlorambucil, etc.); combinations of antineoplastic agents and steroid drugs; certain antibiotics; thyroid supplements; others.
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