When should I seek medical advice?
It is recommended that couples should try for at least 1 year before seeking fertility help. If there is however a medical condition that may affect fertility, a couple should consult a specialist earlier.
For women over 40 years old, it is recommended that a couple asks for help sooner. Fertility rates drop rapidly for women over 38 and the risk of pregnancy loss rises.
What can I do to increase my fertility?
Smoking, alcohol consuming and increased body weight negatively affect fertility in both women and men. A healthy, active lifestyle can help couples trying for a baby, but up to a point.
What are the first things to check when trying for a baby?
There are some simple and cost effective tests a couple should undergo to exclude the most common causes of infertility. These are a sperm test for the husband, salpingography and basal FSH and oestradiol levels for the woman. Of course, good results in the above tests do not ensure fertility and should always be reviewed by a doc
