To understand infertility as a social phenomenon in the Arab world, it is imperative to understand the importance placed on marriage and family life. With regard to marriage, Islam is a religion that can be said to privilege – even mandate – heterosexual marital relations, regarding marriage as sunna and the proper vehicle for procreation (Mernissi 1985, Omran 1992, Schleifer 1986). Thus, in the Arab Muslim world, marriage is highly valued, and nearly all adults marry if possible, making the Middle East among “the most married” regions in the…