When Should My Partner and I Pursue Infertility Treatments?

If you’ve been trying to get pregnant without success, it’s natural to wonder if you or your partner might have a fertility problem. But it’s not always easy to know when to seek treatment. 

DeShawn Taylor, MD, MSc, FACOG, and the Desert Star Institute for Family Planning team are committed to helping couples improve their chances of conceiving with advanced fertility therapies focused on each partner’s unique needs. Here’s when you should consider scheduling a visit.

You’ve been trying to conceive for a year or more

We know at least one person who seemed to get pregnant immediately, without weeks of trying. But conceiving is rarely that easy. In fact, of all the couples trying to get pregnant at any given time, only about 15%-25% will succeed. If you’ve been trying to get pregnant for 12 consecutive months without success, it’s time to schedule a visit with Dr. Taylor.

You’re 35 or older and unable to conceive after six months

Once you reach age 35, your chances of getting pregnant decline. At this age, you should schedule a visit after six months of trying unsuccessfully to conceive.

You’re 40 or older

A healthy 40-year-old woman has roughly a 5% chance of conceiving during any menstrual cycle. What’s more, while the likelihood of getting pregnant declines after age 40, the risk of miscarriage increases. If you’re 40 or older, it’s a good idea to make an appointment with Dr. Taylor before trying to conceive to discuss options that can help increase your chances of conception.

Your periods are abnormal

If your periods are irregular or if you have very heavy bleeding, it could indicate a hormonal issue that may prevent you from getting pregnant or carrying a pregnancy to term. Any abnormality in your cycle should be evaluated immediately, even before you attempt to conceive.

You (or your partner) have specific medical issues

Conceiving is a complex process, and if you or your partner have a medical condition that affects that process, getting pregnant will be a lot more difficult — or even impossible. That includes some relatively common sexually transmitted diseases that haven’t been treated.

For women, conditions like fibroids, endometriosis, or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can interfere with your ability to conceive or carry a pregnancy. Men can have problems that affect ejaculation or sperm count, motility, or quality.

You’ve had more than one miscarriage

As many as 20% of known pregnancies end in miscarriage, and many others end even before you know you’re pregnant. While it’s perfectly possible to conceive and carry a pregnancy to term following a miscarriage, if you’ve had more than one, there’s a chance you might have an underlying medical issue that’s interfering. If you’ve had multiple miscarriages and you’re having trouble conceiving, that’s a sign it’s time to make an appointment.

You’ve undergone cancer treatment

Some types of chemotherapy and radiation therapy can make it harder to get pregnant. If you’ve had cancer treatment, scheduling a visit with Dr. Taylor is a great way to begin your pregnancy journey.

Fertility issues may not be uncommon, but that doesn’t make them any less upsetting. To learn what’s causing your troubles and how Dr. Taylor can help, request an appointment online or over the phone with Dr. Taylor and the Desert Star Family Planning team in Phoenix, Arizona, today.