When to Seek Help with Infertility
When you’re ready to start or add to your family, even a month or two can seem like a lifetime when it comes to conception. The good news is that 85 percent of couples conceive within one year with an average of about six months, and ovulation prediction kits make it easier than ever to determine when you’re ovulating. However, if you have been having unprotected sex for a year or more—or six months or more if you’re age 35 and up—you may want to schedule an appointment with your doctor to discuss possibilities, strategies and tests, including a physical exam, blood tests, semen analysis, pelvic ultrasound and other special procedures. However, these tests can be expensive, so if you know that you have pelvic inflammatory disease, polycystic ovary syndrome, endometriosis, STDs or other health issues, it is best to start the conversation with your doctor sooner than later.
Ultimately, the one-and-only way to get pregnant is when a sperm fertilizes an egg, which happens about 12 to 24 hours after ovulation (about two weeks before the end of your monthly cycle). If needed, your doctor can also share information on options including fertility medications, artificial insemination and in vitro fertilization (IVF). And if you haven’t started your pregnancy journey yet but are hoping to conceive in the near future, talk to your doctor now about things you can do to increase your chances of conception and overall health.
