How long of trying is considered infertility?

Asked by: Devon Harber  |  Last update: September 8, 2025
Score: 4.3/5 (34 votes)

For public health data collection, infertility is defined as not being able to get pregnant (conceive) after 1 year (or longer) of unprotected sex. Fertility in women is known to decline steadily with age. As a result, some providers evaluate and treat women aged 35 years or older after 6 months of unprotected sex.

How long to try before infertility?

Infertility is usually only diagnosed when a couple have not managed to conceive after a year of trying.

How many years is considered infertility?

If you're younger than 35, your healthcare provider may diagnose infertility after one year (12 months) of trying to conceive. Trying to conceive is defined as having regular, unprotected sex. If you're 35 or older, your provider may diagnose infertility after six months of regular, unprotected sex.

How long does it take to cause infertility?

Benefits of using hCG with TRT

Increasing the hCG dose to 500 IU increased their intratesticular testosterone levels by 26%. Data reveals TRT can cause azoospermia (complete absence of sperms in ejaculations) within 10 weeks of starting the therapy.

How long does a couple have to try to conceive before they are considered infertile?

Infertility is defined as the inability to become pregnant after one year of unprotected sex for women under 35 and six months for women 35 and older.

How long should a couple try to conceive before seeing a fertility specialist?

20 related questions found

When are you officially infertile?

Overview. Infertility is a disease of the male or female reproductive system defined by the failure to achieve a pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sexual intercourse. Infertility may occur due to male, female or unexplained factors. Some causes of infertility are preventable.

What if I am not pregnant after 5 months of trying?

If you're younger than 35 and you've been trying for a year to get pregnant, talk with your health care provider. Depending on the circumstances, your provider may want to look at both you and your partner. If you're 35 or older, talk with your provider after six months.

How long do you have to try to be considered infertile?

For public health data collection, infertility is defined as not being able to get pregnant (conceive) after 1 year (or longer) of unprotected sex. Fertility in women is known to decline steadily with age. As a result, some providers evaluate and treat women aged 35 years or older after 6 months of unprotected sex.

What is the average time trying to conceive?

Most couples will get pregnant within a year if they have regular sex and don't use contraception. But women become less fertile as they get older. The effect of age on men's fertility is less clear.

How long does it take to get pregnant with unexplained infertility?

One study showed that for couples with unexplained infertility and over 3 years of trying on their own, the cumulative pregnancy rate after 24 months of attempting conception without any treatment was 28%. This number was found to be reduced by 10% for each year that the female is over 31.

What are the chances I'm infertile?

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)

What is the oldest person to conceive naturally?

The oldest verified mother to conceive naturally (listed currently as of 26 January 2017 in the Guinness Records) is Dawn Brooke (Guernsey); she conceived a son at the age of 59 in 1997.

What are the signs that a man is fertile?

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a regular semen analysis shows a sperm concentration of at least 15 million sperm per millimeter of semen, with at least 30% motility and 4% normal morphology.

How to check if you're infertile?

Infertility tests may include:
  1. Ovulation testing. A blood test measures hormone levels to find out whether you're ovulating.
  2. Thyroid function test. ...
  3. Hysterosalpingography. ...
  4. Ovarian reserve testing. ...
  5. Other hormone tests. ...
  6. Imaging tests.

When is it hardest to get pregnant?

As a result, there are around 21 days in the menstrual cycle on which pregnancy is less likely. The days before and during menstruation are the least fertile menstrual cycle days. People with a menstrual cycle that is shorter than 28 days could ovulate within days of their period ending.

What disqualifies you from IVF?

Who is not a good candidate for IVF? In vitro fertilization may not work for everyone. Conditions that may interfere with IVF success include fibroid tumors, ovarian dysfunction, abnormal hormone levels, and uterine abnormalities. Women with these issues may face lower rates of pregnancy with IVF.

How long is it normal to try to get pregnant?

Know when to talk with your ob-gyn.

It's normal to not get pregnant right away. More than half of healthy couples get pregnant within the first 6 months of trying.

How likely is it to get pregnant from precum?

Ultimately, while the chances of getting pregnant from precum are low, “there are very rare cases when sperm contaminates pre-ejaculate, making it possible for a woman to get pregnant,” Brauer reiterates. If pregnancy isn't the goal, it's always best to use contraception methods to decrease that risk.

How many people get pregnant first try?

Conception is most likely to occur in the first month of trying (about a 30% conception rate). The chance then falls steadily to about 5% by the end of the first year. Cumulative conception rates are around 75% after six months, 90% after a year, and 95% at two years.

What is the time frame to consider infertility?

If you're under 35 and have been trying to conceive for more than a year, or if you're over 35 and have been trying for six months, it may be time to talk to your doctor about why you can't get pregnant.

What is the leading cause of female infertility?

polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) causes a hormone imbalance, which affects ovulation. PCOS is associated with insulin resistance and obesity, abnormal hair growth on the face or body, and acne. It's the most common cause of female infertility.

What are the symptoms of high fertility?

8 Signs of Fertility to Look for Each Month
  • Sign #1: A Positive Result from Your Ovulation Predictor. ...
  • Sign #2: A Change in Your Cervical Mucus. ...
  • Sign #3: Increased Sex Drive. ...
  • Sign #4: Increased Sense of Smell. ...
  • Sign #5: Lower Abdominal Pain. ...
  • Sign #6: Change in Your Cervical Position. ...
  • Sign #7: Breast Tenderness.

How many couples get pregnant after 6 months of trying?

Each month there is a 15-20% chance of conceiving. Out of 100 fertile couples, 50% will conceive after 6 months of unprotected intercourse. The chances of pregnancy drops in half after the first 6 months until 1 year when the chances of conceiving without fertility treatment is 1-2% going forward.

What can I do to get pregnant fast?

Do
  1. have sex every 2 to 3 days without using contraception – make sure sperm enters the vagina.
  2. try to have sex around the time you are ovulating – this is usually 12 to 16 days before your period starts.
  3. try to maintain a healthy weight, stop drinking alcohol and do not smoke – it can help if your partner does this too.

What is the most common reason not getting pregnant?

Common causes of infertility in women include: Fallopian tube obstruction. Blocked or scarred fallopian tubes that prevent sperm from reaching the egg are a frequent cause of infertility. A history of pelvic infections, sexually transmitted diseases or endometriosis increases your risk for fallopian tube obstruction.