Whether you have just started thinking about having a baby or have been trying to conceive for a while, the information available on understanding your concerns can often be confusing. In this simple guide below we’ve tried to make it a little easier.
Infertility
Infertility is defined as not being able to get pregnant despite having regular, unprotected sexual intercourse for at least a year.
Most couples (approximately 85%) will achieve pregnancy within one year of trying, however some will not. We generally recommend seeking the help of a Fertility Specialist if conception has not occurred after a year of trying regularly.
Infertility causes can affect one or both partners. In general:
- In about one-third of cases, there is an issue with the male.
- In about one-third of cases, there is an issue with the female.
- In the remaining cases, there are issues with both the male and female, or no cause can be identified (unexplained infertility).
Age
It can be difficult to know when to visit a specialist to seek infertility treatment, as this can often depend on the individual but one of the most important factors in determining when is right to get support, is age.
The ages and lengths of time trying to conceive before visiting a specialist are shown below:
- Women under 35 – 1 year without success
- Women 35 – 39 – six months without success
- Over 40 – as soon as possible