Blood, urine, and imaging tests can be done to discover why you are having trouble getting pregnant. A sperm analysis can be done to check a man's sperm count and the overall health of the sperm. Your doctor may refer you to a reproductive endocrinologist. That's a doctor who specializes in infertility.
The main symptom of infertility is not getting pregnant. There may be no other obvious symptoms. Sometimes, women with infertility may have irregular or absent menstrual periods. In some cases, men with infertility may have some signs of hormonal problems, such as changes in hair growth or sexual function.
What Causes Infertility? Problems with ovulation are the most common reasons for infertility in women. A woman's age, hormonal imbalances, weight, exposure to chemicals or radiation and cigarette smoking all have an impact on fertility.
Blood tests to check hormone levels and ovarian reserve (the number of potential eggs remaining in a woman's ovaries). Pelvic examination. Minimally invasive procedures, such as ultrasound imaging (sonogram) and surgery, to check for structural causes of infertility.
Studies suggest that after 1 year of having unprotected sex, 12% to 15% of couples are unable to conceive, and after 2 years, 10% of couples still have not had a live-born baby. (In couples younger than age 30 who are generally healthy, 40% to 60% are able to conceive in the first 3 months of trying.5)
At-home fertility tests can help people who want to conceive. Individuals may find a testing kit more convenient and private than consulting a fertility specialist. These tests are available for males and females. A test can tell whether hormone levels or sperm count, shape, and motility are within typical ranges.
The main symptom of infertility is the inability to get pregnant. A menstrual cycle that's too long (35 days or more), too short (less than 21 days), irregular or absent can mean that you're not ovulating. There might be no other signs or symptoms.
The greatest chance of conception occurs when there is intercourse 1 to 2 days prior to the actual ovulation,” says Dr. Witt. The two days leading to ovulation are known as peak fertility days, a period when intercourse would most likely lead to pregnancy.
By age 30, fertility (the ability to get pregnant) starts to decline. This decline happens faster once you reach your mid-30s. By 45, fertility has declined so much that getting pregnant naturally is unlikely.
Having trouble getting pregnant can be caused by many things including problems with ovulation, blocked fallopian tubes, endometriosis, PCOS, premature menopause, fibroids, thyroid problems and a condition called Turner syndrome. Depending on the cause there are a number of treatment options.
For women, they include being too overweight or underweight, eating disorders, excessive exercise, smoking and drinking. For men, smoking and drinking also can reduce sperm count, as can marijuana use and even hot tubs. However, there are also a lot of old wives' tales out there, too.
Ideally, you want to see a clear, slippery fluid that resembles raw egg whites (this is caused by the increased estrogen levels mid-cycle). This is called cervical mucus and it's the magic fluid that signifies you're fertile and ready to ovulate soon. In some people, cervical mucus can show up days before you ovulate.
We usually recommend having an AMH blood test to measure ovarian reserve hormone called Anti Mullerian Hormone (AMH). This simple blood test provides a very good estimate of the number of eggs that you still have in your ovaries.
Mild pelvic or lower abdominal pain
Called Mittelschmerz, ovulation pain can feel like a sharp or dull cramp on the side of your abdomen where the ovary is releasing the egg. This ovulation side effect can last anywhere between a few minutes and a few hours.
Being overweight or underweight. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) Health problems that cause hormonal changes, such as polycystic ovarian syndrome and primary ovarian insufficiency.
Yes. In the United States, among married women aged 15 to 49 years with no prior births, about 1 in 5 (19%) are unable to get pregnant after one year of trying (infertility). Also, about 1 in 4 (26%) women in this group have difficulty getting pregnant or carrying a pregnancy to term (impaired fecundity).
In 85% to 90% of cases, infertility is treated with conventional medical therapies, such as medication or surgery. If fertility treatments are unsuccessful, it is possible to use eggs or sperm donated by a third party or to have another woman carry a fetus. Select a category of treatment to learn more.
Best biological times to have a baby
Typically, the 20s mark a time of high fertility for both males and females. According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, females experience a slight reduction in fertility in their early 30s, and this will decrease significantly between the ages of 35 and 45.
Both genders are most likely to approve of women becoming mothers between the ages of 26 and 30 (89% of men/92% of women) and for men to become fathers at 31 to 35 (89%/93%).