When should I go to a fertility clinic if I am unable to conceive?

Almost all couples who start trying to conceive ask themselves the same question: how long will it take me to get pregnant? Or, when should I go to a fertility clinic if I am unable to conceive?

That is why, at Ure Centro Gutenberg, an assisted reproduction clinic in Málaga, we want to make it very clear when you should make your first fertility appointment if you are having trouble conceiving.

What is assisted reproduction?

First of all, let’s explain what assisted reproduction is.

Assisted reproduction is a set of techniques, almost all of which are performed in a laboratory, involving the manipulation of female and male gametes (eggs and sperm) with the aim of fertilising the egg and achieving pregnancy in infertile couples.

We can say that a couple is infertile when pregnancy does not occur after 12 months of regular sexual intercourse (2 or 3 times a week) without any form of protection.

These techniques are also used by single mothers and same-sex couples to start families.

Reasons for going to an assisted reproduction clinic

A woman’s age is a determining factor in fertility, and we all know that we are leaving motherhood for later and later.

Our current pace of life, little or no work-life balance, the difficulty in finding a partner… all these factors have caused the average age of patients who go to centres specialising in assisted reproduction to increase over the last ten years. For example, at URE Centro Gutenberg, the average age is currently around 38.

But age is not the only factor. There may also be other problems that make it difficult to have children, problems that may or may not have been detected previously.

We are going to answer these and other questions so that you know for sure when there are sufficient reasons to put yourself in the hands of the best assisted reproduction specialists.

Maternal age

A woman’s best reproductive age is around 20. Fertility gradually declines from the age of 30, and especially after the age of 38.

To give you an idea, the chance of getting pregnant each month you try when you are 30 is around 20%.

However, at 40, this percentage drops dramatically to 5% per cycle, and if you are over 45, the probability is almost zero.

When you have been having regular, unprotected sex for a year

To find out if you have a fertility problem, you will first have to try to get pregnant naturally, right? To do this, specialists recommend having sex 2-3 times a week without protection.

According to data from the Spanish Fertility Society (SEF), approximately 25% of couples achieve pregnancy in the first month of having regular, unprotected sex, 85% achieve it after a year, and 90% after two years.

For this reason, it is recommended that you visit a fertility centre and undergo a basic infertility study after 1 year of unsuccessful attempts. If you are 37 or older, you should visit after 6 months.

Ovulation problems

Many women suffer from ovulation problems due to hormonal imbalances that prevent the ovary from functioning normally.

You may encounter this problem due to irregular ovulation or a lack of ovulation (for example, in cases of polycystic ovaries).

Check whether your periods are regular. If this is your problem and you want to get pregnant, consult a fertility specialist.

Fallopian tube obstruction

Blocked or damaged fallopian tubes are one of the most common problems we face in fertility clinics because it is virtually impossible to achieve a natural pregnancy if you have this problem.

The most important causes of fallopian tube obstruction usually include pelvic inflammatory disease, sexually transmitted infections and sterilisation surgery. Fortunately, in vitro fertilisation treatments make pregnancy possible in cases of tube obstruction.

In this article, we will tell you more about fallopian tube obstruction and how we can detect if you have this problem.

Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a disease that affects approximately 10% of the female population during their reproductive years and is closely linked to infertility.

We define endometriosis as the growth of endometrial tissue, that is, the tissue that lines the uterus, outside of this organ, usually spreading to the ovaries and fallopian tubes, and more rarely to the bladder, intestines, lungs, and so on.

It is a very common disease, sometimes quite uncomfortable due to its discomfort, but fortunately, it can be easily treated.

If you have or suspect you may have endometriosis, consult a good fertility specialist to achieve pregnancy.

Uterine Fibroids and Endometrial Polyps

A fibroid is a benign tumor common among women, which can sometimes complicate fertility.

The relationship between uterine fibroids and endometrial polyps and fertility is highly controversial, and numerous clinical debates have arisen around this topic. However, if you know you have fibroids and are unable to conceive, consult your fertility specialist.

In this article, we’ll tell you more about uterine fibroids and when their removal is indicated to achieve pregnancy.

A key factor

Having children is always a two-person affair. We need two cells: an egg and a sperm. And not all fertility problems are always associated with women: men also matter in fertility.

The passage of time deteriorates sperm quality, although not as obviously as it does with eggs. A man’s fertility decline occurs much later, and it isn’t a problem until he reaches approximately 50 or 60 years of age. Learn how the father’s age affects trying to conceive here.

With age, sperm morphology (shape) and motility (movement) tend to decrease. In addition, there is a slightly increased risk of genetic defects in sperm.

On the other hand, if your partner has had a vasectomy, it is important for you to know that it is possible to become pregnant through in vitro fertilization plus testicular biopsy.