When to See a Doctor About Fertility: How Long to Try First

See a doctor about fertility once you have been trying for a baby for about 12 months without success, or after about 6 months if you are over 35, and sooner if you already know about a possible problem. That timeline is the single most useful thing to hold on to, because the instinct when nothing is happening is to give it just one more month, and one more after that.

This is general guidance, not a verdict on you. Most couples who see their GP go on to have options, and starting the conversation early simply gives you more of them.

When to see your GP about fertility

See your GP after about 12 months of regular unprotected sex without conceiving, or after about 6 months if the woman is over 35. Around 8 in 10 couples conceive within a year if the woman is under 40 and they have regular sex, so 12 months is the point at which it is sensible to look into it rather than a sign that something is definitely wrong.

The threshold drops to 6 months over 35 because age matters more than any other single factor. The chance of conceiving each month falls steadily with age and more sharply from the late 30s, so there is genuinely less time to spend waiting. Our guide to age and fertility explains why that window narrows.

I waited far longer than I should have. We told ourselves we were “still early” at eighteen months because no one had said the word “infertility” to us. Looking back, the appointment I was dreading was the one that finally got us moving.

When to go sooner, without waiting a year

Do not wait the full 12 months if you already have a reason to suspect a problem. Some signs and histories mean earlier assessment is recommended whatever your age, because they point to a specific issue with ovulation, the fallopian tubes, or sperm.

Reasons to see your GP sooner include: irregular, very infrequent, or absent periods (a common sign of an ovulation problem, including PCOS); known or suspected endometriosis; previous pelvic inflammatory disease or pelvic surgery; a history of cancer treatment such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy; or a known male factor, for example a previous sperm test that was abnormal. If any of these apply, book an appointment now rather than counting months.

Why age makes this time-sensitive

Age is the strongest single predictor of natural fertility and of fertility treatment success, which is the whole reason the “do not delay” gate exists. Female fertility declines gradually through the 30s and faster from the late 30s, and male fertility also declines more slowly with age.

This is not about pressure; it is about information. A few months of waiting in your late 20s is very different from a few months in your late 30s, and a doctor can only help within the time you give them. If you are over 40 and concerned, it is reasonable to seek advice straight away rather than waiting six months.

What happens at the first appointment

The first appointment is mostly questions, not procedures. Your GP will ask how long you have been trying, about your menstrual cycle, your general and sexual health, any previous pregnancies or surgery, and your lifestyle, and they will usually check that you are taking folic acid.

From there they arrange first-line checks. For the woman this often means blood tests to confirm you are ovulating, typically a progesterone test around day 21 of a 28-day cycle. For the man it means a semen analysis, one of the simplest and most informative early tests, which is why a male cause is found in roughly a third of couples. Our guide to fertility tests and investigations walks through what each test looks at. Bring your partner: ideally both of you are seen and assessed together so the process runs in parallel.

What you can do while you wait for the appointment

Keep trying, and give the basics their best chance, because some simple steps genuinely help. The strongest single piece of advice is to have regular sex every two to three days across the cycle rather than trying to time ovulation precisely, which is more reliable for most couples.

Alongside that, the evidence-led basics are: take 400 micrograms of folic acid daily, stop smoking, keep alcohol low, and aim for a healthy weight, since being significantly over or under weight can affect ovulation. We cover these in diet and lifestyle for fertility and in how to get pregnant. None of this replaces seeing your GP at the right point; it simply supports the natural attempts you are still making.

This is general information and support, not medical advice. If you are worried about your fertility, please see your GP or a fertility specialist, who can assess your own situation and advise on the right next steps for you.