Infertility affects about 1 in 6 couples. That’s a lot, and it can feel overwhelming. The good news: many causes are treatable, and there are clear steps you can take right now to improve your odds. Below I’ll lay out tests, simple habits, treatment options, and when to get specialist help — in plain language.
Start with basics. Get a semen analysis for the male partner and a basic fertility blood panel for the woman (AMH, FSH, day-3 labs and thyroid checks are common). A pelvic ultrasound and an HSG (hysterosalpingogram) can check ovulation and fallopian tube patency. You don’t need every test at once — your doctor will guide the order.
While waiting for results, make changes that really matter: keep BMI in a healthy range (aim roughly 18.5–30), stop smoking, limit alcohol, and cut back on excessive caffeine. Take a daily folic acid supplement if you’re trying to conceive. For men, avoid hot tubs and tight underwear and reduce exposure to heavy alcohol or recreational drugs.
Timing matters. Track ovulation with apps, temperature charts, or ovulation kits. Have intercourse every 1–2 days during the fertile window (about five days before ovulation through the day of ovulation). Avoid sperm-harming lubricants — choose fertility-friendly options instead.
If tests show problems, here are common next steps. For ovulation issues (PCOS is a typical cause), oral meds like letrozole or clomiphene often work. For low sperm count or motility, IUI (intrauterine insemination) combined with ovarian stimulation can help. IVF is the next major step when tubes are blocked, severe male factor exists, or previous treatments fail. IVF variations include ICSI (injecting a single sperm into an egg), donor eggs/sperm, and embryo freezing.
Some conditions need surgery — for example, laparoscopy for endometriosis or varicocele repair in men. Ask your doctor about risks like ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) with some fertility drugs and the increased chance of multiples with some treatments.
Success rates vary widely by age and diagnosis. Ask clinics for live-birth rates by age and treatment type, and compare clinics by those numbers rather than marketing claims. Also check costs and what your insurance covers; fertility care can be expensive, so plan ahead.
Emotional health matters. Fertility treatment is stressful — counseling, support groups, or a fertility coach can help you stay steady. If you’ve been trying for 12 months (or 6 months if you’re over 35) without success, see a fertility specialist. If you already know a specific issue, don’t wait.
Want a next step? Book a basic fertility workup, make the lifestyle tweaks above, and bring your questions to a clinic. Clear tests lead to targeted treatments, and targeted treatments lead to better results.
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