How many months of trying is considered infertile?

Asked by: Marcelo Haag  |  Last update: July 21, 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 does it take to be considered infertile?

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.

How many months of trying before infertility?

“The vast majority of people will become pregnant within the first 12 months of trying to conceive with regular unprotected intercourse,” says Hubayter. “After six months to a year of trying — depending on a woman's age — we recommend that a couple comes in for an infertility evaluation.

How long should they wait before they suspect infertility?

When should I consider having an infertility evaluation? Experts recommend an infertility evaluation if you have not gotten pregnant after 1 year of having regular sexual intercourse without using birth control. If you are older than 35, an evaluation is recommended after 6 months of trying.

What is considered infertile for a woman?

Overview. Infertility is defined as trying to get pregnant with frequent, unprotected sex for at least a year with no success. Infertility results from female factors about one-third of the time and both female and male factors about one-third of the time.

TTC: When Should You See A Fertility Doctor? How Long Should It Take To Get Pregnant?

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How will I know if I'm infertile?

The main sign of infertility is being unable to get pregnant after six months or one year of regular, unprotected sex. You may not have any other symptoms. But some people may show physical symptoms such as: Pelvic or abdominal pain.

How long does it take for chlamydia to cause infertility in females?

There is no time for how long a chlamydia infection must remain in the system to cause infertility, because every body is different. It can take from weeks to two years. Chlamydia can lead to infertility in women due to the amount of scarring it causes to their internal reproductive organs.

When do doctors consider you infertile?

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

What if I am not pregnant after 12 months of trying?

The term infertility is used if a woman is not naturally pregnant after 12 months of regular unprotected sex. There can be many causes of infertility including lifestyle factors or some diseases. Having a healthy lifestyle can improve your fertility.

What are the symptoms of infertility in females?

Signs of Potential Infertility in Women
  • Abnormal periods. Bleeding is heavier or lighter than usual.
  • Irregular periods. The number of days in between each period varies each month.
  • No periods. You have never had a period, or periods suddenly stop. ...
  • Painful periods. Back pain, pelvic pain, and cramping may happen.

How many months does the average couple try to conceive?

The average time it takes to conceive, for instance, is about six months, and women under 35 should wait until they've tried for a year before they consider calling their doctor or a fertility specialist with concerns, says Dr. Stillman.

When to refer for infertility?

Referral criteria varies between health authorities. For women younger than 36 years with normal history, examination, and investigations in both partners, referral should usually be considered if the couple has not conceived after 1 year.

When am I most not fertile?

Continue counting each day of your cycle until your next cycle starts. On days 1-7, you're not considered to be fertile and can have unprotected sex, though you may have menstrual bleeding on those days. On days 8-19, you're considered to be fertile. Avoid unprotected sex or abstain from sex to avoid pregnancy.

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 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.

When are you classed as infertile?

For couples, infertility is when you or your partner are unable to get pregnant after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sex. About 1 in 7 of couples struggle to become pregnant. Not all of these couples require fertility treatment as some couples will get pregnant naturally.

Can I check if I'm infertile?

Some doctors recommend that women over 35 seek infertility testing after 6 months of trying to get pregnant. Your family doctor or gynecologist can test you for infertility, or refer you to a fertility specialist. Your local Planned Parenthood health center can also help you find fertility testing in your area.

What lifestyle causes infertility?

Substance use, including smoking tobacco, using other tobacco products, marijuana use, heavy drinking, and using illegal drugs such as heroin and cocaine reduce fertility in both men and women. Having high blood pressure changes the shape of sperm, thereby reducing fertility.

How long do you have to try for a baby to be considered infertile?

Infertility is defined as the inability to conceive after one year of regular, unprotected intercourse. If you or your female partner are over the age of 35, you should see a fertility specialist after six months. After age 40, we recommend seeking help right away because we know fertility declines as age increases.

Can my Obgyn tell if I'm infertile?

Your gynecologist can perform a preliminary fertility evaluation, according to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. A common problem for couples with fertility struggles is how to properly time intercourse with ovulation, says the National Infertility Association.

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)

How long should you try to conceive before seeking help?

While every situation is different, we recommend seeking help from a fertility specialist if: You are younger than 35 and have not been able to conceive after one year of unprotected intercourse. You are age 35 or older and have not been able to conceive after six months of unprotected intercourse.

What STD makes you infertile?

STDs & Infertility

Chlamydia and gonorrhea are important preventable causes of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and infertility. Untreated, about 10-15% of women with chlamydia will develop PID. Chlamydia can also cause fallopian tube infection without any symptoms.

How long until chlamydia turns into PID?

How long after infection do symptoms appear? PID symptoms can appear shortly after being diagnosed with an STD such as chlamydia or gonorrhea. It may take upwards of a year for most people to develop PID, but others can develop it earlier, depending on the severity of the infection.

Can infertility be cured?

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.