Considering fertility treatment

If you’ve been trying to get pregnant for three or four months, keep trying. It may just take more time, even longer than you think it could. But, you may want to think about fertility treatment if you’re younger than 35 and have been trying to get pregnant for at least a year, or you’re 35 or older and have been trying to get pregnant for at least six months.

Here are some things you and your partner can do to find out if you need treatment:
   • Talk to your health care provider about whether or not you need treatment.
   • Learn about how things like smoking and weight affect fertility. It’s possible that you may be able to make changes in your life that will help you get pregnant without fertility treatment. Talk to your health care provider about what you can do on your own, without fertility treatment.
   • Tell your health care provider about diseases and other health problems in your family.
   • Keep a monthly diary of your periods. Write down the date you start and end your period each month. This will help you figure out when you ovulate. 
   • Have your partner get his sperm tested to make sure it’s healthy.
   • Have a test to make sure your fallopian tubes are open and your uterus is a normal shape. (When your ovary releases an egg, it travels down the fallopian tube to your uterus.)

If you’ve tried various options and think it’s time to speak to a fertility specialist, read our information on when and how to find a fertility specialist and center. You’ll find information on risks and benefits, who pays for it, and more.

Tags: fertility, getting pregnant, infertility, ovulation, Pregnancy