Terminology Tuesdays: The definition of infertility and recurrent pregnancy loss

Photo by Stephanie Himel-Nelson

Today, I am going to go back to the basics and discuss the definitions of infertility and recurrent pregnancy loss.  Now, you may think you know how to define infertility and/or recurrent pregnancy loss. After all, if someone cannot get pregnant, they have infertility, right?  If someone loses four or five pregnancies, that’s considered recurrent pregnancy loss, right?  Well, you might be surprised to learn about the actual definitions of infertility and recurrent pregnancy loss.

In 2008, the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) revised its definitions of infertility and recurrent pregnancy loss.  In a Practice Committee Report published in 2008 in the journal of Fertility Sterility, the ASRM states:

“Infertility is a disease, defined by failure to achieve successful pregnancy (clinical pregnancy) after 12 months or more of regular unprotected intercourse.”  So, infertility isn’t just the inability to get pregnant but the inability to conceive after actively trying for at least 1 year.

“Recurrent pregnancy loss is a disease distinct from infertility, defined by two or more failed pregnancies (clinical pregnancies).” Thus, the tragic loss of just 2 pregnancies can be considered recurrent pregnancy loss.

Did you realize that infertility and recurrent pregnancy loss are considered diseases?  The 31^st edition of Dorland’s Illustrated Medical Dictionary published in 2007 states that a disease is:

“Any deviation from or interruption of the normal structure of any part, organ, or system of the body as manifested by characteristic symptoms or signs; the etiology, pathology, or prognosis may be known or unknown.”

Source: Fertility and Sterility, Volume 90, Issue 5, Page S60, November 2008, Authors: Practice Committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine.

Dr. Lowell T. Ku, M.D. is a leading Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility specialist at Dallas IVF, on the nation’s premiere infertility centers.  Dr. Ku clarifies the many confusing terms used in the world of Infertility using straightforward explanations.