How long do couples usually take to get pregnant?

80-90% of normal fertile couples will conceive within a year of regular unprotected intercourse. This rises to 95% after 2 years of unprotected intercourse. Infertility is usually defined as an inability to conceive after a minimum of 12 months of unprotected intercourse. Doctors would not usually investigate for a fertility problem unless you had been trying unsuccessfully for at least a year. This is because many normal couples take at least this long to conceive.

How many couples have difficulty conceiving?

Fertility problems affect around 1 in every 6 couples.

Why do some couples have difficulty conceiving?

The main problems that underlie difficulty conceiving can be due to problems in producing eggs (25%), problems with the fallopian tubes preventing transport of the egg (20%), or problems with the quantity or quality of the sperm (30%). Sometimes, in around 15% of couples, there may be more than one factor. In most other cases no obvious reason is found and this is termed "unexplained" infertility (25%). When investigating infertility it is essential to assess the couple together. Other factors associated with fertility problems include Being underweight or overweight, rapid weight loss and smoking.

Is age important?

Age of the woman is important as fertility wanes especially after 40 years of age, but age has much less of an effect with regard to male fertility. Women over 40 are likely to produce fewer eggs. In addition, the eggs she produces may not have as good ability to implant into the womb as they did at a younger age. Miscarriage is also increased in women over 40 and there is also an increased risk of other pregnancy complications including the baby being affected by Down’s syndrome (cross ref to antenatal tests).

We have been trying for a baby for more than a year, what should we do?

You should seek medical advice and ideally you should be seen together. Remember it is common for causes of infertility to be found in both partners. The doctor will take a detailed history from you both. The information which the doctor will want to find out will include age, how long you have been trying to conceive, how often you have intercourse, previous contraception, whether you have any problems with intercourse, smoking and alcohol use, the presence of chronic medical conditions or long term medication, and details of previous pregnancies for you both. You will be asked about menstrual problems and any history of pelvic infection or abdominal surgery. Your partner will be asked about his occupation, any past medical problems, surgical operations or trauma to the testicles and any infections affecting the genitals including mumps. He will also be asked about any regular medication as this can sometimes upset sperm function and about any sexual difficulty. The Doctor will also want to know about smoking and alcohol consumption. You both may be examined.

What will the doctor tell us to do?

The doctor will tell you if there are any obvious problems and whether a specialist referral is required. He/She will give general advice such as the need to take folic acid, stop smoking, cut down or stop drinking alcohol, and check if you are immune to Rubella. It may be worth checking whether you are anaemic. It may also be useful to check if you carry hepatitis or HIV, as these tests are needed prior to assisted conception as these conditions may have implications for the baby. If you are overweight the doctor will advise about the need to reduce weight or limit weight gain. It is not usually routine to advise you to use temperature charts or ovulation prediction kits in the first instance as< The information was not saved correctly.