Abstract:
Infertility has become an outstanding public health issue, which brought great disease burden to both the infertile couples and the whole society as well. In this article, the researches on the epidemiology, etiology, and main risk factors of infertility, the World Health Organization (WHO) continuity of care theory were reviewed. Fertility is associated with various impact factors in different periods of life cycle, such as fetal, childhood, adolescence and childbearing age period. Inappropriate medications, pathogens (
Chlamydia,
Neisseria gonorrhea), endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), unhealthy life styles (smoking, alcohol drinking, drug abuse or lack of exercise) can to some extent do harm to fertility. Different interventions need to be done accordingly in order to prevent and control infertility at population level.