When to See a Fertility Specialist

When my cousin Neelam decided to start a family, she never anticipated the journey would be filled with so many questions, endless waiting, and heart-wrenching disappointment. Like so many others, she figured it would be easy to get pregnant.

When months became a year, she wondered if she should get help. For people in a similar situation, this story is for you. Let's understand fertility timelines, influencing factors, and everything you need to know so you can make informed decisions with surety and courage.
 

Conception doesn’t always follow a set timeline. For some couples, pregnancy happens quickly, often within a few months. For others, it can take a year or more.

The fertility timeline refers to the general advice from health experts on how long couples should try to conceive before seeking help. If you're under 35 years, doctors recommend that you try for a year. For those over 35 years, the recommendation is six months.

Understanding this timeline can ease the stress when things don’t happen as quickly as expected. While many couples will conceive with a little more time, being informed ensures you're prepared to take the next step if needed.

Age and Fertility: What You Need to Know

Age plays a significant role in the ability to conceive healthy babies. When you're younger, it's generally easier to get pregnant. However, as you age, it becomes more challenging. This is partly because both egg quality and sperm quality decline, impacting fertility as time goes on. This table highlights the fertility impacts for both men and women as they age:

If you’ve been trying to conceive for some time without success, it may be time to see a fertility specialist. Here are key signs to look out for:

• Irregular or Painful Periods: Hormonal imbalances, conditions like endometriosis, or fibroids can interfere with conception. My cousin Neelam’s irregular cycles were a clue that something more was at play. If you're experiencing similar issues, a specialist can help identify the cause.
• Painful Pelvic Symptoms: If you’re dealing with pelvic pain or discomfort, it could signal underlying fertility issues. Don’t ignore these signs—early intervention can make a difference.
• Other Factors to Consider: If you have a history of miscarriages, pelvic surgery, cancer treatment, or STIs, or if you're experiencing very heavy or absent periods, seeing a specialist is recommended.

A fertility specialist can pinpoint any underlying issues and offer solutions to help you conceive.
 

Certain pre-existing health conditions can impact your fertility or pregnancy outcomes. These conditions may not be pregnancy-related complications, but they can interact with the body’s changes during pregnancy, increasing risks or making conception harder.

Some common conditions affecting fertility include

Conception is a shared journey, and sometimes the challenges lie on the male side. Issues like low sperm count or reduced sperm movement can make getting pregnant harder, so it’s important for men to check their fertility too.

If you and your partner haven’t conceived after a year of trying (or six months if your partner is over 35 years), it’s a good idea to see a specialist. For men over 40 years, it’s best to seek help even sooner, as fertility naturally declines with age.

Signs to Watch For:

• Fewer sperm or sperm that don’t move well.
• Pain, swelling, or lumps in the testicles.
• Problems with ejaculation or low semen levels.
• Lower interest in sex or trouble maintaining an erection.

These issues can sometimes be linked to low testosterone, which can also cause tiredness, weight gain, or mood changes.

What Can Be Done?

While some conditions can’t be reversed, treatments like IVF or ICSI can help. Talking to a specialist early can help you and your partner understand your options and take the next steps together.