Background: Understanding the magnitude of infertility is critical for monitoring, assessing, and improving equitable access to fertility care services, as well as for addressing the risk factors associated with infertility. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of infertility and its associated factors among Iranian women.
Materials and Methods: In this overview, the online databases Medline, EMBASE, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, CIVILICA, and Google Search Engine were searched for relevant systematic reviews and meta-analyses published up to January 2024. Two independent scholars conducted the screening, selection, and quality assessment of the selected studies using the AMSTAR tool.
Results: A total of five systematic reviews, comprising 95 studies with a total of 279,717 women, were included. The results indicated that the current prevalence of infertility in Iran is 10.5% (ranging from 7.8% to 13.2%). The prevalence of primary infertility is 10.6% (ranging from 3.09% to 18.3%), while secondary infertility is 2.6% (ranging from 2% to 3.2%). Additionally, the prevalence of current infertility is 2.9% (ranging from 2.2% to 3.7%). The rates of primary and secondary infertility were significantly higher in women than in men (6% and 3%, respectively; p < 0.05). Primary infertility was more common in women under the age of 35 (p < 0.05). Subgroup analysis revealed significant differences in the prevalence of current infertility based on the year (p < 0.05). The prevalence of causes related to ovulation, uterine tubes, and endometriosis among infertile women was estimated at 54.0%.
Conclusion: The prevalence of infertility among women from 1990 to 2019 has decreased over time. Primary infertility is more common than secondary infertility and is particularly prevalent in women under the age of 35. However, for both women and men, lifestyle factors such as smoking, excessive alcohol intake and obesity are associated with an increased risk of infertility.