Infertility is the inability to achieve pregnancy. It can exist in both men and women. In the women it can be due to the non-occurrence of ovulation, to obstruction of the fallopian tubes or to disease of the lining of the uterus. Treatment can take the form of drugs. Surgery can also be performed on the fallopian tubes if these are the cause of the problem.

In men, infertility can be caused by a decreased amount of motility or spermatozoa in the sperm. This is commonly referred to as a low sperm count. There can also be a rarer condition when there is a complete absence of sperm. This is probably the easiest form of infertility to diagnose.

If infertility cannot be treated through drugs or surgery, there are other options. These include gamete intrafallopian transfer and in vitro fertilisation. Both are common procedures to assist couples who cannot get pregnant by other means.