No, it's not rare; infertility affects about 1 in 6 couples (15-17%) trying to conceive, with many factors like age, lifestyle, genetics, and medical conditions impacting fertility in either partner. While most couples conceive within a year, difficulty getting pregnant is common, with causes ranging from ovulation issues (like PCOS) and blocked tubes to male sperm problems or unexplained factors, so seeking medical advice after 12 months (or sooner if over 35) is recommended.
Around 1 in 7 couples may have difficulty conceiving. More than 8 out of 10 couples, where the woman is under 40, will conceive naturally within a year if they have regular unprotected sex (every 2 or 3 days).
You know you might be infertile (or facing fertility issues) primarily by the inability to get pregnant after a year (or six months if over 35) of regular, unprotected sex, but symptoms in women can include irregular/painful periods or no periods, while men might have issues with sexual function, hair growth, or testicular pain, all signaling a need for medical evaluation with tests like blood work or ultrasounds.
Infertility is commonly caused by problems with ovulation (the monthly release of an egg from the ovaries). Some problems stop an egg being released at all, while others prevent an egg being released during some cycles but not others. Ovulation problems can be a result of: polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
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)
Regular menstrual cycles are an initial indicator of fertility in women. Cycles ranging between 21 and 35 days are typically normal, suggesting ovulation – a critical fertility marker. Ovulation, the release of an egg from the ovary, is crucial for conception.
Pregnancy depends on the viability of the sperm and egg, the receptivity of the uterus, and other factors that vary widely among couples.3,12 Within the six fertile days of each cycle, the probability of conception is lowest on the first day.2,3 This is most relevant for the earliest days in the menstrual cycle, which ...
Risk factors
A woman's peak reproductive years are between the late teens and late 20s. 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.
7 signs of ovulation
Yes, you can purchase at-home fertility tests online or at your local pharmacy. There are urine (pee) tests that can show your most fertile days each month. Other tests can check the health and volume of your semen. It's important to note that an at-home fertility test isn't a substitute for a fertility specialist.
Give yourself an extra fertility boost by upping your intake of these foods:
Complications from infections like chlamydia, gonorrhea and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) can block your fallopian tubes. Similarly, certain conditions can affect your uterus and cause secondary infertility. Scarring from certain procedures can interfere with pregnancy.
While most couples should consult a doctor after a year of trying, Dr. Goldberg says some should see an infertility specialist sooner. Women who are 35 or older should be evaluated after trying for only six months since age-related decline in fertility is more rapid in the mid to late 30s and 40s.
12 key vitamins and minerals for fertility and pregnancy
The following tests are recommended:
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 golden age covers the first 1000 days of a child's life, calculated from the time in the womb until the child reaches the age of two years. The golden age is a period that is very important and requires special attention from parents. During the golden age, the brain grows maximally, as does physical growth.
Statistically, we're the most fertile in our twenties and early thirties [5]. At this age, we still have a lot of eggs in our ovarian reserve and a large percentage of them are healthy. A majority of women become pregnant within a year of trying at this age [4].
Key Factors Affecting Egg Quality
A nutritious diet high in antioxidants and healthy fats can enhance egg quality; while smoking and excessive alcohol intake can have detrimental effects. Environmental factors, including exposure to pollutants and chemicals, can harm reproductive health.
Lifestyle modification: Gaining or losing weight, stopping smoking or using drugs, and improving other health conditions can improve your chance of pregnancy. Medications: Fertility drugs stimulate your ovaries to ovulate more eggs, which increases your chance of getting pregnant.
Some foods can increase the risk of infertility or cause problems during pregnancy. If you are trying to get pregnant, avoid alcohol, caffeine, processed meats, and unpasteurized dairy products. Eating a healthy diet full of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains will help you conceive and have a healthy pregnancy.
When are you most fertile? Theoretically, there's only a short time when women can get pregnant, and that is the time around ovulation. It's difficult to pinpoint exactly when ovulation happens, but in most women it happens around 10 to 16 days before the next period.
Technically, you can't experience menstruation while pregnant. “A full period happens when you shed the uterine lining after you ovulate, and you do not shed the uterine lining or ovulate during pregnancy,” Mustaleski explains. That said, some pregnant women may have regular bleeding that resembles a light period.
Inside the female reproductive system, sperm can live for five days under the right conditions [1]. Sperm are sensitive, and to survive and remain able to fertilize an egg cell, they need their environment to have the right temperature, pH level, and moisture [2, 3].