Speaking to a doctor

Sharing your desire to conceive, with a professional

If you’ve decided to try for a baby, it can help to speak to your doctor straight away. They can ensure you’re having sex when you’re most fertile, and recommend some lifestyle changes to give you the best chance of getting pregnant.

Many couples expect to get pregnant as soon as they stop using contraception. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. In any month, a 30-year-old woman only has around a 20% chance of getting pregnant.1 As women’s fertility declines rapidly after the age of 35, it becomes more difficult to conceive.1

Should I speak to a doctor?
  • Aged <35 and haven’t conceived after one year of unprotected sex
  • Aged >35 and haven’t conceived after six months of unprotected sex
  • A family history of early menopause (either mother or sister)
  • Abnormally frequent, skipped, or absent periods (amenorrhoea)
  • Exposure to toxic chemicals (such as certain pesticides or solvents)
  • Chemotherapy or radiation therapy
  • History of pelvic infections/disease
  • Previous ovarian/testicular surgery
  • Previous injury to the testicles

If you and your partner are referred to a fertility clinic, you’ll visit a doctor that specialises in fertility treatment. They may be called a reproductive endocrinologist (RE):

  • Reproductive endocrinologist (RE) — these specialists are able to further assess individual causes and can work with you to plan possible fertility treatments

It can be daunting to share intimate details with a doctor for the first time, but being as open as possible helps your doctor to give the specific advice that’s right for you. If you don’t feel at ease discussing certain topics in front of your partner, you can ask to speak with your doctor in private. If you ever feel uncomfortable with a particular doctor, you can always ask to speak to their colleague instead.

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