What it is
Age is an important factor, as fertility declines with age, especially for women over 35.
Treatment depends on the cause and may include medicines to help ovulation, surgery, or assisted conception such as IUI or IVF.
Common signs
- Not getting pregnant after a year of regular unprotected sex
- Irregular or absent periods
- Pain during periods or sex, sometimes
How it is usually diagnosed
- Blood tests for hormones
- Semen analysis
- Pelvic ultrasound
- Tests to check the fallopian tubes
Records worth keeping
Keeping these together makes each appointment easier, especially when you see a new doctor:
- Hormone test results
- Semen analysis reports
- Ultrasound and tube test reports
- Fertility clinic letters and treatment cycle notes
Questions to ask your doctor
- What tests should we both have?
- What treatment options do we have?
- How do our ages affect our chances?
When to get help right away
Call 112 or go to the nearest emergency department if you have:
- Severe tummy pain, swelling or breathlessness during fertility treatment, or one-sided pain with a positive pregnancy test: get urgent medical help
This page is general information. It is not a diagnosis and does not replace a doctor who knows your history. Medfold keeps your records organised; it does not interpret them.