Infertility is so much in the news, we can't help but worry about our own fertility, even if we've never tried to get pregnant. Remember, though, that when trying to conceive, only about 30% of fertile couples will actually miss their periods and have a positive pregnancy test. So... when should you worry?
Couples who have been having sex regularly and not using birth control for 12 months should talk to a doctor. Sometimes resolution is as simple as skipping the trip to the hot tub before having sex or learning when in the month is your most fertile time.
As you get older, fertility diminishes, and the window of opportunity for successful treatment is smaller. Most experts recommend seeking help after six months if the woman is 35 to 39, and after just 3 months for those over 40.
Many conditions lead to subfertility, not infertility. Two fertile young people may have a 20-30% chance per cycle of conceiving; some couples that seem infertile may have a 5% chance -- so that after a year of trying, their number just hasn't come up yet. Even as their fertility work-up starts, they still have that 5% per month chance -- and many people do get pregnant before (or long after) fertility therapy. The goal of treatment is simply to improve those odds each month. Most therapies will not make the odds better than 30% per month. That is why you need to take a long-term view as you start treatment -- one cycle of therapy is statistically unlikely to get you pregnant, but over time your number is more than likely to hit.
Most fertility problems are caused by trouble with the sperm, ovulation, obstruction of the fallopian tubes, an abnormally shaped uterus, endometriosis, or sexual difficulties, but a significant number of couples have unexplained infertility -- that is, testing is done, and nothing is found to explain why they aren't getting pregnant. Luckily, modern fertility treatments are often successful even when a specific cause is not identified. Talk to a doctor or nurse if you are concerned about your fertility.
