Inability to conceive; Unable to get pregnant

Increase your chance of becoming pregnant each month by having sexual intercourse at least every 3 days in the weeks leading up to and through the expected time of ovulation. Ovulation occurs about 2 weeks before the next period starts. So, if you get your period every 28 days, you should have sexual intercourse at least every 3 days between the 10th and 18th day after you get your period, and concentrating on the 72 hours before ovulation occurs.

Treatment depends on the cause of infertility. It may involve:

• Education and counseling
• Medical procedures such as intrauterine insemination (IUI) and in vitro fertilization (IVF)
• Medicines to treat infections and clotting disorders, or promote ovulation

It is important to recognize and discuss the emotional impact that infertility has on you and your partner, and to seek medical advice from your health care provider.

Many organizations provide informal support and referrals for professional counseling. See infertility - support group.

Up to 60% of couples who were considered infertile become pregnant after receiving appropriate therapies (not including advanced techniques such as in vitro fertilization).

However, as many as 1 in 5 couples diagnosed as infertile eventually become pregnant without treatment.

Although infertility itself does not cause physical illness, it can have a major emotional impact on the couples and individuals it affects.

Couples may have problems with their marriage. Individuals may experience depression and anxiety.

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you are unable to get pregnant.

Images

Sperm

Male reproductive anatomy

Pelvic laparoscopy

Primary infertility

Review Date: 03/21/2010
Reviewed By: Susan Storck, MD, FACOG, Chief, Eastside Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, Redmond, Washington; Clinical Teaching Faculty, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)