Practical Difficulties in Estimating the Prevalence of Primary Infertility in Iran

Objective The present study has reviewed the results of a big population-based survey on how the clinical, epidemiological and demographic definitions of infertility made a difference in infertility prevalence in Iran and subsequently, compared the findings in order to find the right time of treatment-seeking by couples. Moreover, the present study reported the infertility prevalence as well as the prevalence of the secondary infertility in all provinces of Iran. MaterialsAndMethods This study was a Community-based, Cross-Sectional one carried out by Avicenna Research Institute in the urban and rural parts of Iran between 2010 and 2011. Using cluster sampling, the reproductive history of 17,187 married women aged 20- 40 years was recorded. Totally, 1011 clusters were randomly selected according to post office codes, proportional to the population of the province. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis of the data was carried out by SPSS Statistical Software. Results The prevalence of primary infertility based on the WHO’s clinical, epidemiological and the demographic definitions were 20.2%, 12.8 % and 9.2, respectively. In addition, the secondary infertility rate was 4.9%. Conclusion Infertility estimates over a two-year exposure period made a 50% decrease in infertility rate; however, increasing exposure period to five years made no significant difference in infertility rate. The findings showed that most of the couples will get pregnant within two years of unprotected intercourse. In order to avoid over or under treatment, the reference limit for time to pregnancy should be reconsidered and giving more time to younger women seems reasonable.