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Infertility problems are very common.

And about 1 in 7 women go to see their doctors because of problems getting pregnant.¹

More couples are seeking help than in the past because there are now so many treatments that can help them. And more couples now delay starting a family until later.² But if you're older, getting pregnant becomes more difficult. This is especially so for women over 35.³

If you're having problems and the woman is 35 or older, don't delay seeking help. The sooner you have treatment the better your chances of getting pregnant.

There have been many studies suggesting that men's sperm counts are lower than they were in the past and that this could be causing more infertility in men. Researchers aren't sure why sperm counts might be lower but some suspect this could be caused by pollution in the environment. But this is only a theory.

One thing that could be causing more infertility in women is the increase in sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) such as chlamydia. This can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), a major cause of illness in young women.

See Pelvic inflammatory disease to read about how you can prevent it.

This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment. ©BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2008. All rights reserved.