Do you need a fertility test?

Many couples have trouble getting pregnant. There are a lot of different factors that have to line up just right in order to conceive naturally, and it often takes time. So it’s advisable not to rush into infertility treatment if you can’t get pregnant as quickly as you’d like.

How do you know when it’s time to get tested? Read on for factors that can impact your chances of conceiving, and advice on whether to head to a fertility clinic.

Age matters

Age has a big impact on how soon you can expect to conceive. Biologically, the most fertile years for a woman are from her teens through to her mid-20s. If everything else is normal a 25-year-old woman will take an average of 3-4 months to conceive, and this average time increases with age.

It’s recommended that you try to get pregnant for at least a year before having a fertility test if you are 35 or younger. If you are over 35 and really want to conceive, you may want to talk to your doctor about fertility testing after six months of trying to get pregnant. A man’s age has almost no effect on fertility until he is well into his 50s.

Staying healthy

For both women and men, there are lots of factors besides age that can impact on the time it takes to conceive. These include stress, diet, exercise, body weight, drugs such as alcohol and cigarettes and various health issues you may have.

If you have had a previous illness or injury that may impact your fertility or if you have a diagnosed medical condition like polycystic ovaries or endometriosis, it can be a good idea to get a fertility test. That way your doctor can help assess your situation and provide the support you need to get pregnant.

Increasing the odds

If you want to increase your chances of getting pregnant, one of the biggest things you can do is relax. It can be very stressful when you want desperately to start a family and are worried it won’t happen, but that stress can make it harder to conceive.

Getting regular exercise, eating a healthy diet with plenty of Folic Acid and getting a good amount of sleep are all important when you are preparing your body for pregnancy.

It can be helpful to quit smoking and reduce alcohol consumption, if only to make your body a better place for your new baby to grow.

If you are already taking good care of yourself, have been trying to conceive unsuccessfully and want to know if your body is ready and able to get pregnant, then talk to your doctor about a fertility test.