Diagnosis and Management of Infertility

ABSTRACTInfertility is relatively common, affecting nearly 5 million American couples each year. Age plays an important role as more women choose to delay childbearing. Infertility affects men and women equally, therefore careful assessment of the couple is needed to identify causes of infertility. This article examines the common causes of infertility as well as the basic evaluation of the male patient and a more comprehensive evaluation of the female patient. Based on the initial assessment and results of infertility testing, the NP will be able to determine which patients they can appropriately treat and which patients need referral to an infertility specialist.