Infertility is generally defined as the inability to get pregnant after a prolonged period of regular, unprotected intercourse.
In practical terms, doctors often diagnose infertility when a couple has not conceived after 12 months of trying (and sometimes sooner if the woman is over age 35). It’s a common issue – around 1 in 7 couples in the UK have difficulty conceiving.
Globally, the World Health Organization estimates about 1 in 6 people will experience infertility in their lifetime. Infertility can cause significant emotional stress, but it is a medical condition of the reproductive system and help is available.
If you have not conceived after a year of trying (or after 6 months if you’re older than ~35 or have known issues), it’s a good idea to see your GP for an evaluation. They can check for common problems and discuss fertility treatments that might assist you.
Primary vs. Secondary Infertility
Doctors classify infertility based on a person’s pregnancy history. There are two main categories:
Primary infertility:
difficulty conceiving when you’ve never had a child before. This means someone who has never achieved a pregnancy in the past is struggling to get pregnant.
Secondary infertility:
difficulty conceiving after you’ve already had one or more pregnancies in the past. In other words, you have had a baby (or babies) before, but are now facing challenges getting pregnant againnhs.uk.
Both primary and secondary infertility can be equally frustrating and emotionally challenging. Secondary infertility often comes as a surprise to those who conceived previously, and it’s important to know that experiencing trouble the second time around is not uncommon. In all cases, a healthcare provider can help investigate possible causes and next steps.
