Infertility in Canada

A study published in 2012 reported rising levels of infertility among Canadian couples over recent decades. Overall infertility rate* in Canada among women, 15.7% ages 18 to 44, among commonlaw or married couples 8.4% 5.4%

The study noted that the fol lowing factors are known to reduce fertility, but said it couldnt draw any conclusions about how they played into the overall statistics. delay in child-bearing The proportion of women having a rst child at age 35 or older increased from three per cent in 1984 to 11 per cent in 2008. Female fertility peaks at about 25, falls slowly until 35, then drops sharply at about 37. It reaches zero by 46. Male fertility also decreased with age as do the chances of passing on a genetic disorder to o spring. obesity Between 1981 and 2009, the proportion of women between 20 and 39 years of age categorized as obese rose from four per cent to 21 per cent. Its known that women who have a body mass index over 30 may have di culty becoming pregnant possibly because of insulin imbalances and irregular ovulation. Some fertility doctors have proposed refusing treatment to women with a BMI of over 35 because of the

low chance of success along with the increased chance of complications during pregnancy. Obesity in men is linked to lower semen quality, decreased libido and erectile dysfunction. smoking Although smoking rates are falling among women aged 20 to 44 from 35 per cent in 1994 to 20 per cent in 2010 doctors recommend quitting smoking before trying to become pregnant. Its also linked to sexual problems in men. alcohol use The rate of heavy drinking ve or more drinks at a time at least once a month increased from nine per cent to 20 per cent among women between the ages of 20 and 34. Couples who are trying to conceive are usually advised to lay o the booze since it a ects both men and women.

sexually transmitted infections The rate of chlamydia infection increased 71 per cent from 2000 to 2009 among women 20 to 24, according to Health Canada (from 46,439 reported cases to 87,210 cases). Chlamydia commonly has no symptoms so women may not know that they have it. Left untreated, it can cause blocked Fallopian tubes.
Sources: Estimating the prevalence of infertility in Canada, published 2012 http://humrep.oxfordjournals.org/content/ early/2012/01/17/humrep.der465.full Delayed child-bearing, an opinion of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada http://sogc.org/guidelines/delayed-childbearing-committee-opinion/

1984

1992

2009/10

*Infertility in this study is de ned not using birth control and not becoming pregnant in the previous 12 months.

is limited. Call 604-626-4225 or write iaacwest@iaac.ca

The research was funded by the now defunct federal pro gram, Assisted Human Repro duction Canada, disbanded in the 2012 federal budget after the Supreme Court of Canada narrowly ruled in 2010 the using medical technology to improve fertility is an area of provincial jurisdiction.

eellis@vancouversun.com