Background: The prevalence and etiology of infertility are not similar
in different parts of the world. There are only few reports of this
topic in Iran. Objective: This study was conducted to determine the
clinical patterns and major causes of infertility in Mazandaran
province in north of Iran. Materials and Methods: The medical records
of 3734 consecutive couples attending two infertility clinics in
Mazandaran province, from 2003 to 2008, were reviewed. The couples had
not had a viable birth after at least 1 year of unprotected intercourse
and were fully investigated. Results: Of the entire samples, 78.7% had
primary infertility and 21.3% had secondary infertility. The mean
duration of infertility in couples was 5.7±4 years. The etiology
of infertility in couples revealed; male factor in 38.9%, female factor
in 34.7%, combined factors in 14.6% and undetermined cause in 11.8%.
Conclusion: In this study, delayed attendance of infertile couples to
the infertility clinic was found. Therefore, there is a need to revise
public health program on infertility to focus on the education and
prevention of infertility and its risk factors