Infertility is defined as an inability to conceive an intrauterine pregnancy after a year of sexual intercourse without contraception. It is a condition that affects nearly 15% of all people at some point in their lives. There are many causes of infertility, and most can be diagnosed and treated. If you and your partner are experiencing any difficulty in starting your family, the first step is simply to contact a physician who is knowledgeable about infertility. Some physicians have special expertise in this area because they have two or three years of fellowship training after completing four years of obstetrics and gynecology residency- these physicians are called Reproductive Endocrinologists (RE) or fertility physicians. People with infertility can usually be treated successfully by fertility specialists who have extensive training and experience in treating this specific problem. All too often a couple may lose precious time if treatment is left in the hands of less qualified physicians, whose technical training and experience may be limited. It is important to note that appropriate fertility treatment plans for individuals and couples with ethical or religious concerns can be developed in consultation with your physician. Contrary to the sensational coverage often portrayed in the media, today’s reproductive technology treatment plans are safe, usually highly effective, and sometimes surprisingly simple. For example, despite all the media attention, only 3% of infertile patients undergo the most sophisticated treatments of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) or Gamete Intra Fallopian Transfer (GIFT). Most infertile patients can be helped with less involved treatment.