Infertility may result from an issue with either you or your partner, or a combination of factors that interfere with pregnancy. Fortunately, there are many safe and effective therapies that significantly improve your chances of getting pregnant.

Symptoms

• The main symptom of infertility is not getting pregnant. There may be no other obvious symptoms. Sometimes, an infertile woman may have irregular or absent menstrual periods. Rarely, an infertile man may have some signs of hormonal problems, such as changes in hair growth or sexual function.

When to see a doctor

When your're a women

• You're age 35 to 40 and have been trying to conceive for six months or longer
• You're over age 40
• You menstruate irregularly or not at all
• Your periods are very painful
• You have known fertility problems
• You've had multiple miscarriages
• You've undergone treatment for cancer

Talk with your doctor if you're a man.

• You have a low sperm count or other problems with sperm
• You have a history of testicular, prostate or sexual problems
• You've undergone treatment for cancer
• You have testicles that are small in size or swelling in the scrotum known as a varicocele