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Trying for conception since marriage… NOT ABLE TO CONCEIVE!!! When to seek fertility expert advice?

After marriage, the next good thing is the couple and the family members wait for good news from the couple. Getting menses every month in that scenario is adding stress to the couple and also the family is worried, Is there any problem ‘Why are we not getting pregnant?’ ‘Who is having the problem Male or female partner?’ ‘Whom to consult?’ ‘When to consult?’ These all are the questions that run through the mind of a couple married trying for conception since marriage but not able to conceive.

85% of the couples having regular unprotected sexual intercourse conceive within one year. Rest 5% conceive in the next one year. The remaining 10% will have difficulty in conception despite trying regularly. These couples will need fertility expert help.

Factors affecting fertility:

• Female Age: it is the most important factor determining the chances of getting pregnant. Fertility in females declines with advancing age, fertility is maximum in the late 20’s and early 30’s. and it starts declining after the age of 32, more faster decline after 35 years, and a very steep decline after 38 years of age.
• Weight: Both overweight and underweight females may have difficulty in conception due to ovulatory dysfunction.
• Any previous pelvic infection: Pelvic infection may affect the tubes leading to inflamed and blocked tubes affecting the fertility.
• Any medical condition: Diseases like diabetes, and thyroid disorder have detrimental effects on both male and female fertility, and disease optimization leads to better outcomes.
• Genital tuberculosis: as tuberculosis is still a common condition in India it affects fertility by damaging the tubes and the endometrial layer.

When to seek advice from a fertility expert?

The decision to seek treatment mainly depends on personal preferences but definitely, the age of the female partner plays a very important role.

• If a female aged <35> trying for conception for the last 1 year and is not able to conceive, needs to consult the expert.
• If female age 35-40 years, start evaluation after 6 months of regular unprotected intercourse.
• If a female age > 40 years, or any previous surgery on ovaries which has reduced the ovarian reserve, warrants immediate evaluation as fertility is already reduced and time should not be wasted more.

Conclusion: With modernization and late marriages infertility is on a rising trend. Although planning pregnancy is a personal decision societal pressure still plays an important role in India and it influences the couple's decision. After trying naturally and not being able to conceive, there is no harm in considering advice from the fertility expert near you.