Infertility means having difficulty becoming pregnant after regular, unprotected sex. It can affect women, men, or both partners.
Common causes include problems with ovulation, sperm quality, hormones, reproductive organs, or conditions such as endometriosis. Sometimes, no clear cause is found.
Many fertility problems can be treated with medication, lifestyle changes, surgery, IUI, or IVF. An infertility treatment clinic can help identify the cause and recommend suitable treatment.
Infertility means having difficulty becoming pregnant after regular, unprotected sex. It is usually assessed after 12 months of trying to conceive, although some people may need help sooner.
It can happen because of problems with ovulation, sperm, hormones, the fallopian tubes, or the uterus. In some cases, doctors may not find a clear cause.
Infertility can affect women, men, or both partners. A fertility assessment can help identify possible causes and guide the right treatment.
There are many possible causes of infertility. Some affect the female reproductive system, while others affect male reproductive health. Certain conditions can affect both partners.
Female infertility may be associated with problems affecting ovulation, the fallopian tubes, uterus, ovaries, or reproductive hormones.
Common causes include:
Male fertility mainly depends on producing enough healthy sperm and being able to deliver sperm into the female reproductive tract.
Possible causes include:
Lifestyle factors, including smoking, excessive alcohol use, obesity, and exposure to excessive heat or certain chemicals, may also affect sperm health.
Sometimes fertility testing does not identify an obvious reason for difficulty conceiving. This is known as unexplained infertility.
This does not mean that pregnancy is impossible. Standard fertility tests may not detect every factor involved in conception, fertilisation, embryo development, or implantation.
A fertility specialist can discuss appropriate treatment options based on the couple’s circumstances.
Lifestyle does not explain every case of infertility, but certain factors can influence reproductive health.
These may include:
Improving overall health can support fertility, although lifestyle changes cannot correct every underlying fertility problem.
Infertility often does not cause obvious symptoms. In many cases, the main sign is simply that pregnancy has not occurred despite regular attempts to conceive.
However, some underlying conditions can produce symptoms that may indicate a fertility problem.
Possible signs include:
These symptoms do not automatically mean that someone is infertile, but they may justify a medical assessment.
Possible signs may include:
Yes. Infertility can exist without noticeable symptoms.
A person may have regular menstrual cycles and still experience difficulty conceiving. Similarly, a man may have no obvious symptoms despite having a low sperm count or reduced sperm motility.
This is why fertility testing can be important when pregnancy does not occur within the expected timeframe.
Many couples should consider seeking medical advice after 12 months of regular, unprotected intercourse without pregnancy.
Women aged 35 or older are generally advised to seek fertility evaluation sooner, often after six months of trying.
Earlier assessment may also be appropriate if there are irregular periods, known reproductive conditions, previous pelvic surgery, recurrent pregnancy loss, suspected male fertility problems, or other concerns.
You do not necessarily need to wait until a full year has passed if there is already a known reason to be concerned about fertility.
A fertility specialist can evaluate both partners and identify appropriate next steps.
Infertility diagnosis usually begins with a detailed medical and reproductive history followed by appropriate testing.
A female fertility assessment may consider:
The doctor may also assess the uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes.
A male fertility assessment usually includes questions about medical history, previous illnesses or injuries, medications, sexual function, lifestyle, and reproductive history.
A semen analysis is commonly used to evaluate sperm count, movement, and other characteristics.
Because infertility can affect either partner, evaluating both people can provide a more complete picture.
Testing may include blood tests, imaging, semen analysis, ovarian assessment, and evaluation of the reproductive organs.
Unexplained infertility is diagnosed when standard fertility investigations do not identify a clear cause.
The diagnosis is generally made only after appropriate evaluation has been completed. Treatment can still be considered even when no specific cause is identified.
The exact tests depend on age, symptoms, medical history, and suspected causes.
Common investigations may include:
The main test is semen analysis, which evaluates characteristics such as:
Additional hormone tests, ultrasound, genetic testing, or other investigations may be recommended when the initial assessment suggests a specific problem.
Doctors may recommend different combinations of tests rather than using every available investigation.
The goal is to identify factors that could be affecting conception while avoiding unnecessary testing.
Infertility treatment depends on the underlying cause, the age of the female partner, how long the couple has been trying, previous treatments, and personal preferences.
Depending on the diagnosis, treatment may include:
For example, women who do not ovulate regularly may benefit from ovulation-inducing medication. Treatment is selected based on the specific cause rather than using the same approach for everyone.
Male infertility treatment may include:
The treatment depends on whether the problem involves sperm production, sperm movement, sperm delivery, or another factor.
Some couples may benefit from assisted reproductive technology (ART).
IUI involves placing prepared sperm directly into the uterus around the time of ovulation.
IVF treatment involves fertilising an egg with sperm in a laboratory before transferring a resulting embryo into the uterus.
In some situations, additional options such as intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) may be considered, particularly when there are significant sperm-related problems.
Learn more
There is no single infertility treatment that works for every couple.
A fertility specialist considers factors such as:
Some couples may begin with less invasive treatments, while others may benefit from moving directly to IUI or IVF.
A personalised treatment plan helps balance the potential benefits, risks, time involved, and emotional and financial considerations.
Not all infertility can be prevented. Some causes are related to age, genetics, medical conditions, or factors that cannot be controlled.
However, maintaining good reproductive and general health may help protect fertility.
Helpful steps can include avoiding smoking and recreational drugs, limiting excessive alcohol consumption, maintaining a healthy weight, eating a balanced diet, managing medical conditions, and seeking medical advice for reproductive symptoms.
It is also important to understand that fertility naturally changes with age, particularly female fertility.
Infertility is not only a physical or medical experience. Trying to conceive without success can affect mood, relationships, confidence, and everyday life.
People may experience sadness, frustration, anxiety, stress, or feelings of isolation. These reactions are understandable.
Open communication between partners can help. Some people may also benefit from fertility counselling, support groups, or speaking with a mental health professional who understands reproductive health.
Most importantly, infertility is a medical condition. It should not be viewed as a personal failure or something that someone should feel ashamed about.
Infertility can affect women, men, or both partners and may have many different causes, including ovulation problems, sperm issues, hormonal conditions, endometriosis, or blocked fallopian tubes.
Because infertility does not always cause clear symptoms, fertility testing can help identify possible problems. Tests may include blood tests, ultrasound, tubal assessments, and semen analysis.
Treatment depends on the cause and may include medication, lifestyle changes, surgery, IUI, or IVF. If you are having difficulty conceiving, a fertility specialist can help you understand your options and choose the right next step.
