Certified Medical Magazine by WMA, ACSA, AACI
FAQs
12
0

Is there a difference between sterility and primary infertility?

By Dra. María Calomarde Rees M.D. (gynecologist).
Last Update: 07/14/2022

Sterility and primary infertility are two different diagnoses that can follow a fertility study in women and men.

On the one hand, sterility is diagnosed in case of total inability to conceive. There are different causes of sterility, which can be observed in the case of dysfunction of the sexual organs or gamete defects. Among the causes of sterility, we have: abnormalities in the testicles, alterations in the FSH and LH hormones, absence of sperm or eggs and genetic abnormalities in the gametes.

On the other hand, we speak of primary infertility when it is impossible to conceive after one year of unprotected sexual intercourse without achieving pregnancy. Unlike sterility, primary infertility does not prevent pregnancy, but the couple may have to resort to assisted reproductive techniques to achieve pregnancy.

In case of primary infertility, we recommend a complete study of the couple, in order to reach a correct diagnosis, and guide the couple towards an adapted and personalized protocol.

Dra. María Calomarde Rees
Dra. María Calomarde Rees
M.D.
Gynecologist
Dr. María Calomarde has a degree in Medicine and Surgery from the University of Valencia and specialized in Gynecology and Obstetrics at the Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid. She also has a Diploma in Advanced Studies (DEA) and Research Sufficiency from the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics of the Autonomous University of Madrid.
Member number: 282863855
Gynecologist. Dr. María Calomarde has a degree in Medicine and Surgery from the University of Valencia and specialized in Gynecology and Obstetrics at the Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid. She also has a Diploma in Advanced Studies (DEA) and Research Sufficiency from the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics of the Autonomous University of Madrid. Member number: 282863855.