infertility
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /ɪnfɜːtˈɪlɪti/
US
- /ˌɪnfərˈtɪlɪˌti/
Description
- unable to conceive
- difficulty having children
- childlessness
Infertility is not simply a delay. It means having trouble becoming pregnant after trying for a long time. It can affect both women and men, and it does not always mean that having a child is impossible. Sometimes the body needs treatment or extra help. In everyday life, the word often carries a lot of sadness, hope, and silence, because many people go through it quietly.
Infertility describes a condition in which a person or couple has trouble having a baby, usually after trying for a long period without success. It is a medical issue, not simply bad luck or a sign that someone has failed. The causes can be different from one person to another. Sometimes the difficulty is related to ovulation, the uterus, or blocked fallopian tubes. Sometimes it is related to sperm, and sometimes doctors cannot find a clear reason.
The experience can be deeply emotional. People dealing with infertility may feel sadness, stress, guilt, frustration, or loneliness. Many go through doctor visits, tests, treatments, and hard choices. Some eventually become parents through treatment. Others build a family in different ways, such as adoption or donor conception. Some decide to live without children.
The word is often used in medical, personal, and social discussions. It can appear in conversations about health, relationships, family planning, and emotional support. Because it is such a sensitive subject, it is usually best used with care and compassion. In the end, infertility is not just about the body. It is also about the long and often private journey of people who hope to have children.
Examples
- 1
Medical consultation
After two years of trying to have a baby, they went to a doctor to talk about infertility.
- 2
Ongoing struggle
Many couples struggle with infertility for a long time before seeking help.
Pattern
struggle with + problem
have an ongoing difficult problem
- 3
Fertility clinic
The clinic offers testing, counseling, and treatment for infertility.
- 4
Men and women
He was surprised to learn that infertility can affect men as well as women.
- 5
Personal experience
She has spoken openly about her experience of infertility.
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- infertilitynoun
Forms
- infertilitiespluralnoun