When you and your partner decided it was time to start a family, you stopped using contraceptives, figured out your monthly ovulation schedule, and started having frequent intercourse during your “fertile window.” You thought you’d get pregnant in no time.
Now, after several months of trying to conceive, you’re wondering if you — or your partner — might be dealing with infertility.
Many people believe they’ll be able to conceive quickly, but for one in eight couples, reality can be quite different. At New Beginnings OB/GYN in Shenandoah, Texas, our team offers infertility evaluations for women who are struggling to get pregnant. Here’s when to consider it, and how uncovering the underlying problem can help improve your prospects.
Healthy couples under the age of 30 who engage in regular unprotected intercourse have about a 20% chance of getting pregnant each month. Among this group, 40-60% of couples who are actively trying to conceive become pregnant within three months of trying.
This “normal” fertility rate is regarded as a sort of benchmark for defining fertility issues.
Women are most fertile in their twenties, and about half as fertile once they’re in their thirties. Female fertility declines sharply by the age of 40. Male fertility also declines with age, but not as significantly. Along this age-driven fertility spectrum, a range of other factors can adversely affect a couple’s ability to conceive, too.
Primary infertility is defined as the inability to become pregnant after 12 months of having regular, unprotected sex, or within six months of trying if you’re past the age of 35. The term secondary infertility refers to couples who’ve been pregnant at least once but struggle to conceive later on.
In the United States, nearly one in 10 men (9%) and just over one in 10 women (11%) of reproductive age have experienced fertility issues. Among couples dealing with infertility, the problem is equally likely to be related to male factors, female factors, a combination of both, or unidentifiable factors.
Up to 15% of couples are still unable to conceive after a year of unprotected intercourse; about 10% of couples still haven’t had a successful pregnancy after two years of trying.
When you’re struggling to conceive, a comprehensive evaluation can help pinpoint the problem. In many cases, there are lifestyle changes and/or medical treatments that can improve your fertility. Here’s when to seek infertility testing:
If you’re younger than 35 and haven’t been able to conceive after a year of actively trying to get pregnant — or if you’re older than 35 and haven’t become pregnant within six months — it’s time to see our team. In either case, it’s more likely that there’s an identifiable problem that’s preventing pregnancy.
If you’re 40 or older — an age when female fertility declines sharply — we recommend seeing a fertility specialist after three months of trying to conceive without success.
If you have a known condition that could interfere with conception, it’s helpful to seek fertility counseling sooner than general age-related guidance. Before you start trying to get pregnant, see us if you have:
We also recommend preconception fertility counseling if you’ve been diagnosed with endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), or uterine fibroids.
Infertility evaluation includes a medical history, lifestyle assessment, and physical exam for both partners; your partner will need to see his doctor for male-specific infertility testing.
Blood tests and imaging exams are often the first step for many women. At New Beginnings OB/GYN, we may recommend:
These tests can detect hormonal issues, ovulation problems, fallopian tube blockages, and uterine abnormalities. They can also provide key insight into your ovarian reserve — or the quantity and quality of your eggs.
The lifestyle portion of your evaluation aims to uncover fertility-inhibiting issues like excess or low body weight, smoking, alcohol consumption, and poor nutrition, so they can be addressed.
Could you benefit from infertility testing? Dr. Rania Ibrahim and Dr. Christina Parmar are here to help. Schedule an evaluation at New Beginnings OB/GYN in Shenandoah, Texas, today.