What’s the difference between infertility and sterility?

What’s the difference between infertility and sterility?

Although the terms “infertile” and “sterile” often get thrown about like they’re the same thing, there’s actually a big difference between the two. So what is that difference exactly?

Infertility and sterility differences to consider

A person is considered clinically infertile if they have been unable to conceive with unprotected, well-timed sex for 12 months or more (6 months for those 35 and older). Infertility is extremely common, and once the reason for the infertility is diagnosed and treated, most formerly infertile couples do in fact conceive successfully. Men and women alike can be the source of infertility with a variety of different causes. Some common ones include:

Sterility is totally different. A person who is clinically sterile is unable to conceive, whether through medical or surgical intervention, or through assisted reproductive technologies. Sterility is most commonly a result of a medical condition or surgical procedure, like a vasectomy, hysterectomy, or ectopic pregnancy that results in the removal of a fallopian tube. Chromosomal disorders like Klinefelter’s syndrome could also result in sterility.

The bottom line