If you are under 35, consider a fertility assessment after 12 months of regular unprotected intercourse without pregnancy. At 35–40, seek advice after six months; over 40, seek advice promptly. Irregular periods or known fertility concerns are reasons to speak to a doctor earlier. CDC
When you are hoping for a baby, another period can bring disappointment and questions. Have we been trying long enough? Should we do tests? Is something wrong?
A consultation gives you space to discuss those questions. You can also book a preconception appointment before you start trying, particularly if you have a medical condition or take regular medicines. NHS
When should you seek a fertility assessment?
For couples having regular intercourse without contraception, with no known fertility concerns, the usual timing is:
| Age of the person trying to become pregnant | When to seek assessment if pregnancy has not occurred |
|---|---|
| Under 35 | After 12 months of trying |
| 35–40 | After six months of trying |
| Over 40 | Seek advice promptly |
These are general assessment timelines, not a prediction of your chances or a rule that prevents you asking for advice sooner. Your medical history may change the recommendation. CDC
When is it better to see a doctor sooner?
Speak to a gynaecologist earlier if you have:
- Irregular periods, long gaps between periods or no periods.
- Known or suspected endometriosis, uterine problems or fallopian-tube disease.
- A history of pelvic infection or cancer treatment.
- A partner with a known sperm problem or difficulty with intercourse or ejaculation.
Previous repeated pregnancy losses also deserve a separate discussion, even if becoming pregnant has not been difficult. Mention relevant concerns in either partner when booking. CDC, ASRM ReproductiveFacts
What can you do while trying to conceive?
Keep timing manageable
Having intercourse every two to three days throughout the cycle can help avoid the pressure of identifying one “perfect” day. Ovulation timing varies, so a fixed day-14 rule does not suit everyone. NHS
If you use an ovulation kit, remember that it detects a hormone rise rather than confirming that an egg has been released. You do not have to buy a kit before asking for advice. ASRM ReproductiveFacts
Prepare for a healthy pregnancy
Discuss your medical conditions and medicines with a clinician. Avoid smoking and alcohol, and aim for a balanced diet. Do not stop prescribed medicines on your own while trying to conceive. NHS
Folic acid is important before pregnancy and during its early weeks. The usual recommendation is 400 micrograms daily while trying to conceive and through the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Some people need a higher prescribed dose because of their medical or pregnancy history, so ask which dose is appropriate for you. Folic acid helps reduce neural-tube defects; it is not a treatment for infertility. NHS folic-acid guidance
What happens at the first fertility consultation?
The appointment usually starts with a conversation. Your doctor may ask about:
- How long you have been trying and how often you have intercourse.
- Period dates, cycle regularity and pelvic symptoms.
- Previous pregnancies, miscarriages and births.
- Past infections, operations and medical conditions.
- Medicines, supplements and previous fertility reports.
Questions about sex can feel personal, but they help identify difficulties that may need support. You can ask why a question or examination is being suggested. NHS: Diagnosis of infertility
Why both partners may need assessment
When a male partner is contributing sperm, his history and assessment matter too. A semen analysis checks features such as sperm number, movement and shape. Having fathered a child before does not remove the need for assessment when it is indicated. ASRM ReproductiveFacts
Which tests might be discussed?
Depending on your history, your doctor may discuss blood tests related to ovulation, an ultrasound of the uterus and ovaries, or a test to assess whether the fallopian tubes are open. Not everyone needs every investigation. Ask what a proposed test would tell you and how its result could change the next step. ASRM ReproductiveFacts
Does an AMH test tell you whether you can get pregnant?
No. An AMH result cannot, by itself, predict whether you will become pregnant.
Anti-Müllerian hormone, or AMH, is one marker used to assess ovarian reserve. It can help clinicians estimate how the ovaries may respond to fertility medicines.
AMH does not measure egg quality or provide an exact count of remaining eggs. A low result does not, on its own, mean pregnancy is impossible; a high result does not guarantee pregnancy. The result needs to be interpreted alongside your age, history and other findings. Ask whether testing would be useful in your situation rather than treating it as a stand-alone fertility score. MedlinePlus
Does seeing a gynaecologist mean you will need IVF?
No. An assessment helps clarify possible reasons for difficulty conceiving and which options are relevant.
Depending on the findings, care may involve medicines, treatment for a specific condition, a procedure or assisted conception such as IUI or IVF. These options are not interchangeable, and a treatment appropriate for one couple may not suit another. NHS: Treatment for infertility
A useful consultation should leave you understanding why a next step has been suggested. Ask about its purpose, alternatives, risks, likely costs and whether specialist referral is appropriate.
What should you bring to the appointment?
Bring whatever information you already have:
- Recent period dates and an approximate idea of your cycle pattern.
- When you stopped contraception and started trying.
- A list of medicines and supplements taken by either partner.
- Previous blood tests, scans, semen reports and operation records.
- Details of earlier pregnancies or pregnancy losses.
These details help with the history your doctor will take. Missing records are not a reason to postpone asking for help. NHS: Diagnosis of infertility
You may also want to write down your main questions beforehand, especially if appointments make you anxious.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get pregnant if I have PCOS?
PCOS can affect ovulation and make conceiving harder, but it does not mean pregnancy is impossible. Treatments can help with fertility. If your periods are irregular, seek individual advice rather than waiting for the usual time threshold. WHO
Read more about PCOS symptoms and irregular periods.
Do regular periods mean my fertility is normal?
Regular cycles often suggest ovulation, but pregnancy also depends on sperm, the fallopian tubes and other factors. Regular periods therefore do not guarantee fertility. CDC
Can there be a fertility problem after a previous pregnancy?
Yes. Difficulty conceiving after a previous pregnancy is called secondary infertility. A past pregnancy does not rule out a current fertility problem. WHO: Infertility
Should I have an AMH test before booking?
You do not need an AMH result to start a conversation. Ask whether it would answer a useful clinical question for you. AMH cannot provide a yes-or-no answer about your ability to become pregnant. MedlinePlus
Could worrying be stopping me getting pregnant?
The relationship between stress and fertility is complex. Being told to “just relax” can add blame and pressure. Support or counselling can help you cope with uncertainty, but reducing stress is not a guaranteed way to achieve pregnancy. ASRM ReproductiveFacts: Stress and infertility
Fertility advice in Gurugram
If you are unsure whether to keep trying or seek assessment, you can discuss your history and questions with Dr. Shruti Tanwar, MBBS, MS (OBG), Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist, at Niravta Hospital, Sector 88A, Gurugram.
This article provides general educational information. Assessment timing and care should be personalised to your medical history and circumstances.
References
- CDC: Infertility — Frequently Asked Questions
- ASRM ReproductiveFacts: Diagnostic Testing for Infertility
- NHS: Trying to get pregnant
- NHS: Pregnancy vitamins and supplements
- NHS: Diagnosis of infertility
- MedlinePlus: Anti-Müllerian Hormone Test
- NHS: Treatment for infertility
- WHO: Polycystic ovary syndrome
- ASRM ReproductiveFacts: Stress and infertility
- WHO: Infertility
