Human infertility: a comprehensive review of causes, diagnoses, and current treatments

Abstract

Infertility, defined as the inability to conceive after one year of regular unprotected sexual intercourse, affects a significant proportion of the global population, impacting both men and women. This study aimed to analyze the causes, manifestations, and current treatments for infertility, with emphasis on its global impact and recent advances in assisted reproduction. A descriptive documentary study was conducted through a systematic search in PubMed, selecting scientific articles published between 2019 and 2024 in English and Spanish. Inclusion criteria prioritized studies on the causes, diagnoses, and treatments of infertility. The results showed that infertility affects 10–15% of couples of reproductive age, with causes shared between genders: one-third attributable to male factors, another third to female factors, and the remainder to combined or idiopathic causes. Age, genital infections, hormonal conditions, and environmental factors emerged as key determinants. From an emotional and economic perspective, infertility generates stress, anxiety, and high costs, particularly in treatments such as in vitro fertilization. In conclusion, infertility treatment must be personalized and integrate technological advances, such as genomics and biomarkers, to improve success rates, emphasizing the need for multidisciplinary approaches that consider both medical and psychosocial aspects.