When to ask for help trying to conceive

Increasing maternal age has a strong impact on fertility.

You should talk to a doctor about your pregnancy challenges if: 

You may also want to seek help if you have experienced: 

• Irregular or absent periods
• Two or more miscarriages
• Endometriosis or painful menstruation
• Breast discharge
• Excessive acne or hirsutism (male-pattern hair growth in women)
• No periods after using contraceptives
• Sexually transmitted diseases
• Pelvic/genital infections
• Pelvic surgery
• Reversal of surgical sterilization
• Chronic medical conditions, such as diabetes or high blood pressure
• Chemotherapy or radiation therapy

Although age plays a much more important role for women, a man’s fertility also declines with age. While men can often father children later in life, those 40 or older are more likely to have problems conceiving. 

It can help to speak to a doctor if you’re concerned about your age or medical history. You should also seek help if you have or have had: 

• Sexually transmitted diseases
• Pelvic/genital infections
• Abdominal surgery
• Reversal of surgical sterilization
• Chronic medical conditions, such as diabetes or high blood pressure
• Chemotherapy or radiation therapy
• Mumps after puberty
• Urologic surgery
• Prostate infection

Sometimes called primary care providers, or PCPs, family doctors are trained to provide first-line care to patients of any age and gender, with any health condition.

Family doctors may perform basic fertility tests or refer you to a fertility specialist, depending on when you started trying to conceive.

A gynecologist provides routine physical care for the female reproductive system and treats diseases of the female reproductive organs. Many gynecologists are also obstetricians—called OBGYNs—who specialize in pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period.

Gynecologists and OBGYNs can perform an initial fertility workup for women.

Urologists provide treatment and care for the male urinary system and reproductive organs, while andrologists specialize in diseases of the male reproductive system. 

These doctors can perform more advanced fertility tests for males.

These specialists, also called REs, are trained in the diagnosis and advanced treatment of infertility for males and females. They also provide fertility preservation care to help maintain a person’s ability to have children.

REs are more knowledgeable in fertility medicine, procedures, and surgeries than OBGYNs, and can carefully assess your situation and work with you to plan possible treatments.