How many years is considered infertility?

Asked by: Miss Ashlynn Gleichner Sr.  |  Last update: September 6, 2025
Score: 4.8/5 (57 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 years does fertility last?

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.

How many years is primary infertility?

Primary infertility: You've never been pregnant and can't conceive after one year (or six months if you're 35 or older) of regular, unprotected sexual intercourse.

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.

At what age does a woman's fertility peak, decline?

21 related questions found

How can I tell if I'm infertile?

The main symptom of infertility is not getting pregnant. There may be no other clear symptoms. Some women with infertility may have irregular menstrual periods or no periods. And some men may have some symptoms of hormonal problems, such as changes in hair growth or sexual function.

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.

What is classified as infertility?

Infertility is defined clinically as not being able to achieve pregnancy after 1 year of having regular, unprotected intercourse, or after 6 months if the woman is older than 35 years of age.

What is the average age of infertility?

A woman in her early to mid-20s has a 25–30% chance of getting pregnant every month. Fertility generally starts to slowly decline when a woman is in her early 30s, and after the age of 35 the decline speeds up. By age 40, the chance of getting pregnant in any monthly cycle is around 5%.

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.

What are signs of poor egg quality?

Infertility issues, frequent miscarriages, and irregular menstrual periods are the symptoms of poor egg quality. As women age, egg quality can decline, potentially resulting in chromosomal abnormalities that affect pregnancy success.

What is the oldest woman that got pregnant?

Erramatti Mangamma, who gave birth at the age of 73 through in-vitro fertilisation via caesarean section in the city of Hyderabad, India, currently holds the record for being the oldest living mother.

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.

At what sperm count are you infertile?

The authors conclude that a sperm count of less than 13.5 million per mL, motility less than 32 percent, and less than 9 percent normal morphologic sperm forms predicted infertility (see accompanying table).

Is infertility a disability?

Infertility and related conditions are considered disabilities under federal (ADA) and California state law (FEHA), offering protection against workplace discrimination. Employees are entitled to reasonable accommodations, including time off for IVF and other fertility treatments, under the ADA, FEHA, FMLA, and CFRA.

What age is female most fertile?

A woman's body is most fertile from the late teens through the 20s. Although many women in their 30s and older can conceive naturally, as time passes, the quantity and quality of eggs in the ovaries begin to decline. By the time a woman reaches her mid-30s to 40 years of age, this decline increases significantly.

Is it selfish to have a baby at 35?

There is an outdated cultural message that people over 35 shouldn't or can't have kids, which is not true in most cases. "This pre-pregnancy-related anxiety about one's fertility being finished is more of a worry than a reality."

Does pregnancy age your face?

The plumping in the cheek area can also cause the facial contour to become weaker and less defined. For many women, this leads to an overall "fuller" facial appearance that makes them look older and heavier than before pregnancy.

At what point are you 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.

What falls under infertility?

Infertility is when a couple does not become pregnant after 12 months of trying. Some couples should seek infertility evaluation earlier than 12 months. For example, women over 35 years old or people with a known cause of infertility, such as having blocked fallopian tubes or being unable to produce sperm.

What drugs cause infertility in females?

These include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), some prescription drugs, including psychiatric medications and spironolactone, and chemotherapy drugs. Recreational drugs, such as tobacco, cannabis, and illicit addictive substances, may decrease female fertility.

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.

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.

How do you test for fertility?

Fertility tests for women
  1. Fertility blood tests. Certain hormonal imbalances can interfere with egg production and maturation. ...
  2. Ovarian reserve testing. ...
  3. Genetic testing. ...
  4. Pelvic ultrasound. ...
  5. Sonohysterogram. ...
  6. Hysterosalpingogram. ...
  7. Hysteroscopy.