If getting pregnant has been a challenge for you and your partner, you’re not alone. Ten percent to 15 percent of couples in the United States are infertile. Infertility is defined as not being able to get pregnant despite having frequent, unprotected sex for at least a year.If you’ve been trying to conceive for more than a year, there’s a chance that something may be interfering with your efforts to have a child. Infertility may be due to a single cause in either you or your partner, or a combination of factors that may prevent a pregnancy from occurring or continuing.Symptoms
The main symptom of infertility is the inability for a couple to get pregnant. There may be no other obvious symptoms of infertility.
When to seek medical advice
In general, don’t be too concerned about infertility unless you and your partner have been trying regularly to conceive for at least one year.
If you plan to conceive and you’re a woman older than 30 or haven’t had a menstrual flow for longer than six months, seek a medical evaluation.
If you have a history of irregular or painful menstrual cycles, pelvic pain, endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) or repeated miscarriages, schedule an appointment with your doctor sooner.
If you spouse or partner has a low sperm count or a history of testicular, prostate or sexual problems, consider seeking help earlier.