Infertility rates according to three categories, Canada, 2009/2010
Definitions of infertility
*Couples who reported no pregnancy, did not use any form of birth control, reported having sexual intercourse during the previous 12 months and had tried at some point to become pregnant with their current partner.
**Couples who reported no pregnancy, did not use any form of birth control, and reported having sexual intercourse during the previous 12 months.
***Couples who reported no pregnancy and did not use any form of birth control during the previous 12 months.
Source: CICH graphic adapted from Statistics Canada, Canadian Community Health Survey, 2009-2010. Bushnik, T., Cook, J.L., Yuzpe, A.A., Tough, S., & Collins, J., (2012).Estimating the prevalence of infertility in Canada, Human Reproduction, 27, 738-746. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22258658 -accessed July 15, 2017.
According to three categories of infertility, among Canadian couples the rate varies from 11.5% to 15.7%.
In 2009/10, the infertility rate among Canadian couples who reported that they have not used birth control, have had sexual intercourse and were trying to get pregnant in the last year was 11.5%.
Among couples that reported only they had used no birth control and had sexual intercourse, the rate was 14.0%.
Among couples who reported only that they had not used birth control the rate was 15.7%.
Implications
The impact of infertility on women and their partner can be significant. They may experience many emotional impacts related to loss – grief, depression, anger, frustration and a loss of self-esteem and sense of control. This can impact mental health and their relationship. In addition, if women and families seek infertility treatments – these can be very expensive, resulting in potential financial pressures, and the drugs can have difficult side effects.1
1Harvard Mental Health Letter. The psychological impact of infertility and its treatment. May, 2009. http://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/The-psychological-impact-of-infertility-and-its-treatment – accessed July 16, 2017.