Infertility
Infertility is difficulty achieving pregnancy after regular unprotected sex, usually assessed after 12 months or sooner when age or history raises concern.
Key points
- Evaluation should involve both partners because ovulatory, tubal, uterine, sperm and unexplained factors may coexist.
- Irregular periods, prior pelvic infection, testicular problems, cancer treatment or older reproductive age justify earlier assessment.
- Treatment must match the identified barrier; progesterone support, ovulation induction and assisted conception are not interchangeable.
The listings below are not a fertility protocol; diagnosis, age, reproductive goals and pregnancy safety should guide treatment.
Building a complete assessment
History establishes duration, cycle pattern, previous pregnancies, sexual timing, medicines and relevant surgery or infection. Testing commonly includes semen analysis, confirmation of ovulation, ovarian-reserve context and assessment of fallopian tubes or uterine anatomy when indicated.
Matching treatment to cause
Lifestyle and timing advice may be sufficient for some couples. Ovulation induction treats specified ovulatory disorders and requires monitoring; surgery has selected anatomical roles. Intrauterine insemination or IVF may address sperm, tubal, age-related or unexplained factors. Emotional and financial burden are legitimate parts of planning.
When to seek urgent care
During fertility treatment, seek urgent care for severe abdominal swelling or pain, repeated vomiting, breathing difficulty, fainting or markedly reduced urination. Pain and bleeding with possible pregnancy also need urgent assessment.