Why is it taking long to get pregnant

How long does it usually take to get pregnant?

It's impossible to say how long it takes to get pregnant because it's different for each woman.

Many factors can affect a couple's chances of conceiving, such as:

your age
your general health
your reproductive health
how often you have sex

Some women become pregnant quickly, while others take longer. This may be upsetting, but it's normal.

Fertility

Most couples will get pregnant within a year if they have regular sex and don't use contraception.

But women become less fertile as they get older.

The effect of age on men's fertility is less clear.

What does 'regular sex' mean?

Having regular sex means having sex every 2 to 3 days throughout the month.

Some couples may try to time having sex with when the woman ovulates (releases an egg).

But do not worry about the timing of when you have sex if it makes you feel stressed.

Fertility problems

Lots of factors can cause fertility problems, including:

hormonal (endocrine) disorders, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and problems with the thyroid or pituitary glands
physical disorders, such as obesity, anorexia nervosa or excessive exercise
disorders of the reproductive system, such as infections, blocked fallopian tubes, endometriosis or a low sperm count
menopause

Some of these factors affect either women or men.

The most common causes are ovulation failure (which can be caused by lots of different things) and sperm disorders.

Read more detailed information about the causes of infertility.

Getting help

If you have been trying for a baby for 1 year without success, see your GP for advice.

Further information

How can I tell when I'm ovulating?
Trying to get pregnant?
Doing a pregnancy test
Can I get pregnant just after my period has finished?
Pregnancy
Infertility
NICE guidelines: assessment and treatment for people with fertility problems

Page last reviewed: 8 September 2022
Next review due: 8 September 2025

How Long Does It Take to Get Pregnant: A Fertility Timeline

Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph. D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT — By Stephanie Watson on September 20, 2018

For some people, getting pregnant can take longer than expected. For others, pregnancy happens with one mistake in birth control.

It’s important to take care of yourself when trying to conceive. Adopt a healthy lifestyle and avoid alcohol, smoking, and recreational drugs. You might also begin taking a daily prenatal vitamin.

The timing of pregnancy for one couple can be very different from the timing with another couple. Your likelihood of conceiving depends on a few factors, including your:

age
health
family and personal medical history

Of course, how often you have sex also plays a role.

Most couples are able to get pregnant within six months to a year. If you’re unable to conceive after a full year of trying, it’s a good idea to consult a fertility specialist.

Sometimes there’s an obvious cause of infertility, like a physical problem with the ovaries, uterus, or testicles. In other cases, the cause is unknown.

Here’s what you need to know if you’ve been trying to get pregnant and it’s taking longer than you’d planned.

How long does it take to get pregnant?

Women have the best odds of getting pregnant in their 20s. That’s when you have the largest number of healthy eggs.

Fertility naturally declines with age. The older you are, the longer it might take you to conceive.

Women are born with all the eggs they’ll ever have. As you get older, your egg supply diminishes. And the ones that remain aren’t as healthy.

By age 35, you have only a 12 percent chance of getting pregnant within any given three-month period, according to a study in PLoS One. By age 40, that number drops to 7 percent.

A man’s fertility also declines with age. An older man’s sperm is also more likely to have genetic abnormalities.

How common is infertility?

According to RESOLVE, 1 out of every 8 couples, or 12 percent of women, have trouble getting pregnant or carrying a pregnancy to term.

When should you see a doctor about infertility?

if you’re 35 or younger and you’ve been trying to get pregnant for a year
if you’re over age 35 and you’ve been trying for more than 6 months

If you know you have a health condition that affects your fertility, see your doctor sooner.

Causes of female infertility

Female infertility is a factor for about one-third of couples who are trying to conceive.

The most common cause is a problem with ovulation. If you don’t ovulate, you won’t release an egg to be fertilized.

Ovulation problems can be caused by:

polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
premature ovarian insufficiency (POI)

Blocked fallopian tubes prevent the egg from meeting the sperm. Possible causes of a blockage include:

pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
endometriosis
surgery for an ectopic pregnancy

A problem with the uterus can also make it harder to get pregnant. This may be due to an abnormal structure, or due to growths like fibroids.

Causes of male infertility

Male infertility is a factor for about 8 percent of couples who are trying to conceive.

Causes of male infertility include:

enlarged veins on the testicles, called varicocele
abnormally shaped sperm
injury to the testes that reduces sperm production
heavy drinking, smoking, or drug use
chemotherapy or radiation to treat cancer
problems with the glands that produce the hormones needed to make sperm
more rarely, genetic disorders such as Klinefelter syndrome

Unexplained infertility

In about 5 to 10 percent of couples, the cause of infertility is unexplained. It may be caused by problems with egg or sperm quality or a physical issue, but the doctor hasn’t been able to diagnose a clear reason.

Not knowing the cause can be frustrating for couples. Yet in vitro fertilization (IVF) and other fertility methods can still help you get pregnant.

Treatments for infertility

Fertility specialists offer a variety of treatments, and sometimes more than one treatment is combined.

Which method your doctor recommends depends on factors like your age, health, and what caused your fertility problem.

Medicine

A few drugs are commonly used to stimulate a woman’s ovaries to release an egg:

clomiphene citrate (Clomid)
follicle-stimulating hormone (Follistim, Gonal-F)
letrozole (Femara)
human menopausal gonadotropin (Menopur, Pergonal, Repronex)
metformin (Glucophage)
bromocriptine (Parlodel)

One thing to know about these medications is that they can increase your risk of giving birth to twins or other multiples.

Medications can also help men with infertility by increasing their sperm count.

Surgery

Surgery is a treatment for both male and female infertility. In men, surgical procedures can clear up a sperm blockage, fix a varicocele, or retrieve semen from a man’s reproductive tract.

In women, surgery can be done to fix physical problems with the ovaries or uterus.

Intrauterine insemination (IUI)

This method is also called artificial insemination. The man produces a sperm sample that is then injected through a catheter into the woman’s uterus right around the time when she is ovulating. She may get medicine beforehand to help her ovulate.

Assisted reproductive technology (ART)

Assisted reproductive technology (ART) combines the sperm and eggs outside the body, and then places the embryos into the uterus. The main type of ART is in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Before IVF, the woman will get a series of injections to help her ovaries produce a lot of eggs. Once those eggs are mature, they’ll be removed using a simple surgical procedure.

The eggs are fertilized with her partner’s sperm. Fertilized eggs, known as embryos, are grown in the lab for a few days. One or two good quality embryos are then transferred into the uterus.

Other ARTs are:

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). One healthy sperm is injected into an egg.
Assisted hatching. The embryo cover is opened to help it implant more easily in the uterus.
Donor eggs or sperm. If there’s a problem with the eggs or sperm, you can get either one from a healthy donor.
Gestational carrier. Another woman carries your baby to term for you.

The Takeaway

Pregnancy isn’t always the journey you expected. Sometimes it takes longer than you’d hoped to get pregnant, especially if age or physical issues are factors.

If you’ve been trying for a while with no success, see an infertility specialist for help. Or turn to an organization like RESOLVE for advice.

Last medically reviewed on September 20, 2018

Parenthood
Pregnancy

How we reviewed this article:

Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Belloc S. (2014). How to overcome male infertility after 40: Influence of paternal age on fertility DOI: 10.1016
Fast facts. (2018).
resolve.org/infertility-101/what-is-infertility/fast-facts/
Infertility FAQs. (2018).
cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/infertility/index.htm
Infertility. (2018).
womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/infertility
Kuohung W, et al. (2017). Causes of female infertility.
uptodate.com/contents/causes-of-female-infertility
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2018). Infertility.
mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/infertility/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20354322
Sozou PD. (2012). Time to pregnancy: A computational method for using the duration of non-conception for predicting conception. DOI:
10. 1371/journal.pone.0046544
Unexplained infertility. (n.d.).
asrm.org/topics/topics-index/unexplained-infertility/

Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.

Current Version

Sep 20, 2018

Written By

Stephanie Watson

Edited By

Nizam Khan (TechSpace)

Medically Reviewed By

Debra Rose Wilson, PhD, MSN, RN, IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT

Share this article

Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT — By Stephanie Watson on September 20, 2018

Fomin's clinic — a network of multidisciplinary clinics

If pregnancy does not occur within six months of active sexual life, then this is one of the signs of infertility. But don't panic. This does not mean at all that you have infertility, perhaps it is enough for you, for example, to adjust your diet. Second, infertility is treated. Well, you should not immediately cheat yourself on the subject of IVF. Remember, infertility is not the same as IVF.

Infertility is a diagnosis that 10% of women all over the world have to live with: according to statistics, every fourth married couple is infertile. In this article we will talk about what female infertility is, how to live with it and whether it can be overcome. nine0003

Female infertility is a diagnosis made after a year of unsuccessful attempts to have children, subject to regular sex with a partner without contraception. If a woman is older than 35 years, the diagnosis is made faster - after 6 months. After 35 years, the ability to conceive gradually decreases, so older women should not delay treatment.

However, one should not rush to sad conclusions either. According to statistics, even completely healthy couples under the age of 30 manage to conceive a child in the first three months only in 20-37% of cases. At the same time, after six months, pregnancy occurs already in 80% of couples. Until a year has passed from the first attempt, there is no need to worry, be examined, and even more so, to be treated. nine0003

Pregnancy depends on many reasons - in order for the "stars to align" and all the factors to coincide, sometimes it takes some time.

For example, it is known that the easiest way to get pregnant is to make love 3-4 times a week. But a break of more than 5 days can adversely affect the quality of spermatozoa.

In addition, much depends on the lifestyle of parents - stress and heavy workload reduce fertility in both men and women. It's no surprise that many successful pregnancies have started during family vacations. nine0003

If less than 6-12 months have passed since the first attempt, you can try several "life hacks":

Choose the best time to conceive. According to some reports, the day of ovulation and 2-3 days before it are best suited for conception. To find out when ovulation occurs, a urinary express test for luteinizing hormone will help - a day or two before ovulation it will become positive. However, calculating the optimal time is not always the best option.

I always oppose the calculation of the optimal time for conception, because because of this, sex begins on a schedule in a couple's life, and this is one continuous stress. It seems to me that it is more reasonable to have sex 2-3 times a week during the entire cycle. nine0003

Kosolapova Inna Vladimirovna, gynecologist-reproductologist of the Fomina Clinic, chief physician

Do not use lubricants. Water-based, oil-based and silicone-based lubricants reduce sperm survival. But lubricants based on hydroxyethylcellulose have less effect on sperm survival - so if there is a lack of lubrication, you can continue to use them.

Stop dieting. Good nutrition is the key to a successful pregnancy. But don't overeat either. There is evidence that a body mass index (BMI) of 19 is ideal for pregnancy.-thirty. In women who have a BMI greater or less, the time to conception increases.

You can calculate your BMI manually by dividing your weight by your height squared. Alternatively, you can use the built-in calculator on the website of the medical organization, or download a special application.

Quit smoking and alcohol. Smoking increases the risk of infertility by 1.6 times. It is also better not to abuse alcohol - eat more than 20 grams of ethanol per day, the risks of "earning" infertility increase by 60%. nine0003

On the other hand, the position of the body during sex, based on the available data, does not affect the result in any way. The "missionary" position is suitable for conception just like any other.

If more than a year has passed and nothing helps, it's time to see a doctor. The diagnosis of "infertility" has the right to make only an obstetrician-gynecologist (reproductologist).

It is important to understand that infertility is not only a woman's problem. According to statistics, in the absence of children in a third of cases, the mother is “to blame”, in a third - the father, and in another third of cases the cause of infertility cannot be established. This means that with the diagnosis of "infertility" it is necessary to examine both partners. nine0003

Male infertility is diagnosed by a urologist/andrologist. But if you go to a family planning center, a reproductologist can make a diagnosis.

Most often, female infertility is associated with problems in the reproductive system: in the ovaries, fallopian (or fallopian) tubes, through which the egg passes from the ovaries to the uterus, and in the uterus itself. To figure out what exactly “broke down” in the female reproductive system, the doctor will collect an anamnesis, carefully examine the patient and prescribe tests. We talk more about this in the article "Diagnostics of female infertility". nine0003

Infertility is treated, and quite successfully — according to statistics, after diagnosis and therapy, children appear in 50% of women (without the use of assisted reproductive technologies: IVF, etc.). On the other hand, success depends on many factors, from the age and history of previous pregnancies to problems with the partner's sperm. Many factors influence the possibility of getting pregnant, so it can be difficult to predict the result.

If the problem is overweight or underweight, it is often enough to normalize the weight for a successful pregnancy. True, much more often the problem is associated with sex hormones - in this situation, the doctor will select the appropriate medication. And if the problem is in the obstruction of the fallopian tubes or in the uterus itself, surgery may be required. nine0003

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is available for patients for whom these treatments are not suitable or have not worked.

The essence of IVF is that the patient's ovaries are stimulated with the help of hormones, then the egg is taken and fertilized with the husband's sperm, then the embryo is "grown" for some time in a special incubator and transplanted into the mother's uterus. A baby is born in the same way as other children conceived "naturally".

In Russia, the IVF procedure can be done free of charge under the CHI policy. However, it is important to understand that this is a complex treatment method that requires serious preparation and gives the best result until the age of 40-45. It is difficult to predict how successful IVF will be. According to statistics, the procedure ends with the birth of a live and healthy baby in about 27% of cases. nine0003

At the same time, IVF success rates vary greatly not only in different countries, but also in different clinics in the same city. There are clinics in which in 30-40% of cases it is possible to achieve a positive result on the first try.

Very often, mothers are concerned about possible health problems that may occur in children conceived through IVF. But in recent times there has been much less cause for concern than 20 years ago.

When the method was first created, all viable embryos that were obtained after fertilization were placed into the uterus of mothers “just in case”. If everyone took root, the mother often gave birth to twins or triplets, and sometimes “quadruples”. It is much harder to bear several children than one - and after all, mothers already had problems with pregnancy, otherwise IVF would simply not have been required. nine0003

Today, the goal of the procedure is the birth of one healthy baby, so mothers transfer only one, maximum two of the best embryos. As a result, most children born after IVF do not differ much from their peers.

Female infertility is as common as male infertility. If you can’t get pregnant within a year, you need to be examined, and sometimes treated together with your spouse.

Infertility is a complex diagnosis that can have many causes. However, after treatment, about half of women successfully become pregnant and give birth to healthy babies (without IVF). nine0064

IVF is a fairly effective way to give birth to a healthy baby. However, this method (like any other) has pros and cons, so you need to make a decision after consulting with an obstetrician-gynecologist or reproductologist.

ᐈ Why you can't get pregnant - Reproductive medicine, gynecology, pregnancy monitoring, urology

At a certain moment in life, we feel an irresistible desire to become the parents of our baby. For some couples, this happens immediately, while others plan to continue the family for a certain period of life. nine0003

What if after a while pregnancy does not occur? Women begin to worry, and a question or even a problem arises - “I can’t get pregnant, what should I do?”. First, figure out if you are doing everything right.

Firstly, it is extremely difficult to conceive the first time. To get pregnant, you need to have regular sex without using contraceptives. Secondly, this should be done on time, or rather, on the days of ovulation (fertile period).

Reasons why you can't get pregnant

Ovulation is the process of release of an egg from the ovary. The menstrual cycle of a woman can theoretically be divided into 2 phases. In the first phase, in one of the ovaries (less often in both), the follicle grows and the egg matures in it. Around the middle of the cycle, the follicle ruptures and the egg is released - this is ovulation.

The ovum released from the follicle is ready for fertilization. Moving, she enters the fallopian tubes, where she meets with the sperm. The fertilized egg descends into the uterine cavity, where it is implanted, and pregnancy begins to develop. If fertilization does not occur or the fertilized egg is not implanted in the uterine cavity, then menstruation begins. nine0003

The probability of conception is maximum on the day of ovulation, and is approximately 33%. If we take into account that the average lifespan of a spermatozoon is 2-3 days (in rare cases it reaches 5-7 days), and the egg remains viable up to 48 hours, then the maximum duration of the "fertile period" is 7-9 days (6-7 days before ovulation and 1-2 days after ovulation).

In the absence of ovulation, the egg does not mature or does not leave the follicle, which means that there is nothing for the spermatozoon to fertilize, and the onset of pregnancy in this case is impossible. nine0003

Lack of ovulation is a common cause of infertility in women who confess “I can’t get pregnant” at the appointment.

When planning pregnancy and simply for diagnosing women's health, determining the presence of ovulation is a top priority. There are several methods, including those that can be used at home.

How to determine ovulation?

Subjective feelings. Ovulation is usually not accompanied by any pronounced signs, and it can only be determined by carefully observing yourself. What to do and what to pay attention to? nine0003

About imminent ovulation:

increased vaginal discharge in the middle of the menstrual cycle;
change in their color and consistency;
pain in the lower abdomen on the side where ovulation occurred.
Severe pain during ovulation occurs with a pronounced adhesive process or polycystic ovary syndrome.

Basal temperature measurement. Based on the temperature values in the rectum, a graph of basal temperature is plotted. On the days of ovulation, the temperature drops sharply, and then rises and stays at this level for 12-14 days, decreasing 1-2 days before the onset of menstruation. nine0003

Ovulation tests are an easier and more convenient way to determine ovulation at home. They are similar to pregnancy tests, but are carried out approximately in the middle of the cycle and reliably show ovulation. If within three menstrual cycles, ovulation tests are negative, then you need to consult a doctor to find out the reasons for its absence.

The most reliable method for diagnosing ovulation is the ultrasound method (foliculometry). This requires repeated ultrasound monitoring. The study is safe, it can be done several times a year. nine0003

Why is there no ovulation?

There are many reasons why couples wonder why they can't get pregnant. Possible reasons for the lack of ovulation:

diabetes mellitus;
hyperprolactinemia;
diseases of the thyroid gland;
polycystic ovary syndrome;
hypothalamic-pituitary insufficiency;
metabolic disorders (obesity or underweight), etc.

Most often, the absence of ovulation occurs in polycystic ovary syndrome. Couples for 2 years can wait for conception, but they never will. The lack of ovulation can be corrected by hormonal stimulation of the ovaries, after which pregnancy will occur naturally. nine0003

If pregnancy does not occur in the natural cycle with ovarian stimulation, then intrauterine insemination is necessary. If, after insemination with polycystic ovary syndrome, pregnancy does not occur, then in vitro fertilization is indicated.

Obstruction of the fallopian tubes

As mentioned above, the egg and sperm meet in the fallopian tube, where fertilization takes place, and then the fertilized egg, moving through the fallopian tube, enters the uterus. Therefore, the next reason for the absence of pregnancy may be a violation of the patency of the fallopian tubes, which occurs due to previous inflammatory diseases and adhesions formed. nine0003

You can check the patency of the tubes using hysterosalpingography and laparoscopy. If the obstruction of the fallopian tubes is confirmed, the patency of the tubes can be restored with the help of microsurgery. If it is not possible to restore the patency of the fallopian tubes, then the patient is recommended in vitro fertilization.

Pathology of the uterine cavity

Pathology of the uterine cavity can also be one of the reasons for the absence of pregnancy. These can be both congenital pathologies (absence or underdevelopment of the uterus, doubling, saddle uterus, septum in the uterine cavity), and acquired (scars in the uterus, intrauterine adhesions, uterine fibroids, endometrial polyp). nine0003

Methods for diagnosing uterine pathology are ultrasound and diagnostic hysteroscopy. For the treatment of uterine pathology, reconstructive surgery is sometimes necessary, and sometimes hysteroscopy is indicated. In rare cases, there is a need for donor and surrogate programs.

Sperm motility in men

Very often, women, saying "I can't get pregnant", start looking for the cause in themselves. But after all, in the process of fertilization, the ability of the husband's spermatozoa to fertilize also plays an important role. To find out, you need to give your husband a spermogram. nine0003

Based on the number, motility and morphology of spermatozoa, this analysis allows an assessment of the fertility of a man's sperm.