Trying to get pregnant and hitting a roadblock? You’re not alone. Fertility treatment is a step-by-step process aimed at finding the cause and choosing the simplest, safest fix that works for you. Below you’ll find concrete next steps, common treatments, real-world timelines, and what to ask a clinic.
Start with basic checks for both partners. For women: track periods and ovulation for a few cycles, get blood tests for hormones (AMH, FSH, TSH) and a pelvic ultrasound. For men: a semen analysis is the single most useful test. If basic tests look normal but pregnancy doesn’t happen, the clinic may order a hysterosalpingogram (HSG) to check fallopian tube patency and uterine shape.
When to see a specialist? If you’ve tried for 12 months with no pregnancy (or 6 months if you’re 35 or older), book an appointment. If you have irregular cycles, known issues like endometriosis, prior pelvic infection, repeated miscarriages, or very low sperm count, see someone sooner.
There’s a range from low-tech to high-tech. Lifestyle changes come first: stop smoking, cut heavy drinking, reach a healthy BMI, take folic acid, and time intercourse or insemination with ovulation. Simple medical options include ovulation drugs like clomiphene or letrozole to induce regular ovulation.
IUI (intrauterine insemination) places washed sperm directly into the uterus around ovulation. It’s less invasive and cheaper than IVF and often tried after a few cycles of meds. IVF (in vitro fertilization) involves ovarian stimulation, egg retrieval, laboratory fertilization, and embryo transfer. IVF success per cycle varies by age—many clinics report higher rates for people under 35 and lower rates after age 40—so discuss age-specific numbers with your clinic.
Surgery can fix blocked tubes, remove fibroids, or treat severe endometriosis. There are also donor eggs, donor sperm, and gestational carriers when needed. Each option has costs, timelines, and emotional impacts, so weigh them carefully.
How to pick a clinic and prepare: ask about their success rates by age, how many cycles they perform, lab accreditation, total costs (including meds and storage), and refund or package options. Bring prior test results and a clear medical history. Prepare mentally and practically: counseling or a support group can help, and some clinics offer financial counseling for treatment planning.
Fertility workups and treatments can feel overwhelming, but clear steps and questions make the process manageable. Talk to your GP or a fertility specialist, get the basic tests done, and then choose the least invasive option that fits your situation and timeline.
