The key difference between Subfertility and Infertility is that the subfertility is a condition where a couple is less likely to get pregnant compared to a normal couple while infertility is the inability of a sexually active, non-contracepting couple to achieve pregnancy in one year. Therefore, subfertility is a type of infertility.
Fertility is the capability to become pregnant under natural conditions and giving birth to offspring. Married couples face troubles in conceiving or sustaining a pregnancy. Subfertility, infertility, and sterility are three situations of such conditions.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Subfertility
3. What is Infertility
4. Similarities Between Subfertility and Infertility
5. Side by Side Comparison – Subfertility vs Infertility in Tabular Form
6. Summary
What is Subfertility?
Subfertility is a defined as a situation where a couple is less fertile compared to a normal couple. It does not mean that there is no chance of getting pregnant. It tells that there is a difficulty in becoming pregnant compared to others. Pregnancy may take a longer time when a couple is subfertile. However, they can become pregnant on their own without medical assistance in contrast to the condition called infertility. The word subfertility is used for a couple who are trying to become pregnant for a period of less than a year and couldn’t succeed yet.
There are different causes for subfertility. From the woman side, they can be ovulation problems, age-related factors, uterine problems, scarring of reproductive organs, etc. Low sperm count is the most encountered factor for subfertility in men. Furthermore, the combined factors of both partners can contribute to subfertility. Treatments for a subfertile couple are not immediate or aggressive at the beginning.
What is Infertility?
Infertility is a condition of the reproductive system where it is the failure to achieve a clinical pregnancy after 12 months or more of unprotected sexual relationship. On the other hand, infertility refers to the inability of a sexually active, non-contracepting couple to achieve pregnancy in one year.
Figure 01: Infertility Causes
Therefore, a couple who is in the infertility state should seek medical assistance. They have a chance of becoming pregnant with the help. There are different reasons for infertility.
What are the Similarities Between Subfertility and Infertility?
- Both subfertility and infertility couples have a chance of becoming pregnant.
- Causes of both conditions of Subfertility and Infertility are the same.
What is the Difference Between Subfertility and Infertility?
Subfertility couple has difficulty in becoming pregnant within less than a year though they are trying to have a baby. Infertility refers to a married couple who failed to achieve pregnancy for one year or more than one year time period. Immediate treatments are started to an infertile couple, unlike subfertile couple, since subfertile couple still has a chance to become pregnant without medical assistance.
Summary – Subfertility vs Infertility
Subfertility, infertility, and sterility are three situations where married couples are facing troubles in conceiving or sustaining a pregnancy. But, the conditions subfertility and infertility have a chance of becoming pregnant in contrast to sterility. Subfertility refers to a couple who are trying to become pregnant within less than a year and could not become successful. On the other hand, infertility refers to the inability of a sexually active couple to become pregnant after one year or more. A subfertile couple is likely to become pregnant without medical assistance while the infertile couple needs medical assistance. This is the difference between subfertility and infertility.
Reference:
1.Gurevich, Rachel, and Anita Sadaty. “Subfertility and Infertility Causes and Treatment Options.”Verywell Family, Verywellfamily. Available here
2.“Infertility Definitions and Terminology.” World Health Organization, World Health Organization, 21 Oct. 2016. Available here
Image Courtesy:
1.’Infertility causes’By Häggström, Mikael (2014). “Medical gallery of Mikael Häggström 2014”. WikiJournal of Medicine 1 (2). DOI:10.15347/wjm/2014.008. ISSN 2002-4436. (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia