Infertility affects up to 1 in 6 people and can have many causes.
Because the age of the egg is the single most important factor in determining chances of pregnancy, it is recommended to see a fertility specialist if you are:
- Under 35 years old and have been trying to conceive for 12 months or more
- 35 to 40 years old and have been trying to conceive for 6 months or more
- Over 40 years old and have been trying to conceive for 3 months or more
In some cases, an earlier consultation with a fertility specialist is indicated. These can include:
- People with irregular or absent menstrual periods
- Same sex couples or people pursuing single parenthood
- Couples who have experienced two or more miscarriages
- Individuals or couples with known genetic diseases or with a family history of a particular disease (such as early onset breast cancer or Huntington’s disease)
- People with risk factors for tubal disease, such as a history of a sexually transmitted infection or a diagnosis of endometriosis
- People with a chronic medical condition such as heart disease or diabetes
- People whose mother went through early menopause (40 years old or younger)