Do we have a fertility problem?

If couples don’t fall pregnant straightaway they often panic, but getting pregnant may take time and this is no indication that you have any problems.

If you have regular intercourse without protection you have a 25 percent chance of conceiving in the first month, a 60 percent chance within six months, a 75 percent chance within nine months, an 80 percent chance within a year and a 90 percent chance within 18 months. So if you’re under 35 and have had regular intercourse (sex every two to three days) without protection for a year, it’s probably time to seek medical help. If you’re over 35, it’s recommended that you seek medical advice after six months of trying.

If you have experienced two or more miscarriages, have irregular, painful periods or no periods at all, this could signal a problem – ask your physician to refer you to a fertility specialist. If your partner experiences a decreased sex drive, ejaculation problems or impotence he should make an appointment with a fertility specialist as soon as possible.

Fertility problems can lie with both the man and the women. For various reasons, some women fail to ovulate each month and may need treatments to stimulate the ovaries into producing eggs. An egg may not be able to make its way down the fallopian tube if there are physical problems or blockages there, and the lining of her uterus can’t always support the implantation of an egg. Men can have low sperm counts, or no sperm at all when they ejaculate. They can also have abnormally shaped sperm. Both men and women who’ve undergone radiotherapy or chemotherapy may need assistance in conceiving. Some fertility problems simply can’t be explained but advances in medical technology means there are treatments available for most of them and the likelihood of you going on to conceive a healthy baby is high.

Just to remind you...

• When a man ejaculates he releases about three and a half milliliters of sperm, and each contains 60-150 million sperm. But of about 300 million sperm, only a few hundred will actually reach the egg.

• An egg can only be fertilized if it is met and penetrated by a sperm within 24 hours of being released by your ovary. Make sure that you are getting your ovulation dates right, with our ovulation calculator.

If you want to find other people to talk to who are going through the same experiences, then try our chat section that can help to link you up with other women in a similar situation.

The information in this feature is intended for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health, the health of your child or the health of someone you know, please consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional.