HOW MUCH TIME DOES IT TAKE TO ACHIEVE A PREGNANCY?

14 April 20213′ read3 sections

CONTENTS

How long does it take to get pregnant?
How common is infertility?
When should you see a doctor about infertility?

For some women, trying to get pregnant can take longer than expected.

It is important to look after yourself when you are trying to conceive. Adopt a healthy lifestyle and avoid alcohol, smoking and unhealthy habits in general.

The time it takes one couple to achieve a pregnancy can be very different from the time it takes another. The chance of conception depends on several factors, such as:
-age
-health
-family and personal medical history
Of course, how often you have sex also plays a part.

Most couples can achieve a pregnancy within six months to a year. If you cannot conceive after a full year of trying, it is a good idea to consult a fertility specialist.

Sometimes there is an obvious cause of infertility, such as a physical problem with the ovaries, uterus or testes. In other cases, the cause is unknown. Here is what you need to know if you are trying to get pregnant and it is taking longer than you planned.

How long does it take to get pregnant?

Women have the best chance of getting pregnant in their 20s, when they have the largest number of healthy eggs. Fertility naturally declines with age. The older you are, the longer it will take to conceive. Women are born with all the eggs they will ever have. As they get older, the number of eggs decreases. And those that remain are not as healthy. By the age of 35, you have only a 12 percent chance of getting pregnant in any given three-month period, according to a study in PLoS One. By the age of 40, that figure falls to 7%.

A man's fertility also declines with age. An older man's sperm is also more likely to have genetic abnormalities.

How common is infertility?

According to studies, 1 in 8 couples, or 12 percent of women, have trouble getting pregnant or carrying a pregnancy to term.

When should you see a doctor about infertility?

-if you are 35 or older and have been trying to get pregnant for a year
-if you are over 35 and have been trying for more than 6 months
If you know you have a health condition that affects your fertility, see your doctor sooner.

*The content of this blog is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified healthcare providers with any questions you may have about medical conditions.

TAGSfertility testing

ABOUT THE DOCTOR

Dr. Alexandros Traianos

Gynecologist · Specialist in Reproductive Medicine and Fetal Medicine

He supports scientific excellence in clinical practice and recognizes the possibilities offered by modern reproductive methods to couples who wish to have a child of their own.

His profile

The content of this article is for information only and does not replace a medical examination and advice.

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Frequently Asked Questions most frequently.

Infertility is defined as the failure to achieve conception after one year (or 6 months in the case of a woman over the age of 35) of normal, regular sexual intercourse. In other words, when a year has passed without the woman becoming pregnant, the couple should consult their treating physician, so that the cause preventing pregnancy can be identified and subsequently addressed. However, we should all be aware and not forget that age is the most critical factor for female fertility, and that an individualized approach to each couple is the "golden key" that solves the problem.

Of course not. In approximately one third of cases, infertility is due to the woman (female factor), while in another third of cases it is due to the man (male factor). In the remaining third, it is due to both partners (both the man and the woman) or even to unknown factors.

• alcohol • narcotic substances • environmental toxins, including pesticides and lead • smoking • health problems • medications • radiotherapy and chemotherapy • age

In general, specialists agree that the fact that a couple has already had a child may be considered evidence that, at least initially, there is no infertility problem. It is like a small test that has been carried out and shows that they “succeeded” at least once. On the other hand, however, we should be aware that circumstances may have changed in the meantime and that a problem may have developed (e.g., the man may have had an inflammation affecting the quality of his sperm, or something may have occurred that affects female fertility: an inflammation, gynecological surgery, an abortion, etc.). In any case, therefore, if a reasonable period of time (one year) passes and a couple is unable to achieve a pregnancy, then, with the help of their doctor, they should investigate whether a problem causing infertility has arisen.

Success rates vary at each IVF center. Very important factors also include the woman’s age, her hormone levels, and, of course, her husband’s sperm. In general, rates are around 45% or slightly higher for women up to 35 years of age.

The number of treatment cycles a woman may undergo is not fixed. It is certain that in our country there are highly qualified obstetrician-gynecologists and well-organized infertility treatment centers that provide excellent medical services in this field. Provided that the appropriate indications are present (e.g., ovaries that respond to stimulation treatment, a good-quality endometrium, etc.), the success rate—particularly with the use of newer techniques and biotechnological medicines, which demonstrate increased bioactivity compared with conventional urine-derived medicines—reaches a cumulative rate of approximately 65%–70% after 4 treatment cycles.

Egg retrieval takes 10–15 minutes, is not painful, is performed under sedation, and after the procedure is completed you can return to your activities.

The association between IVF medications and the risk of developing cancer is the greatest concern for women participating in these programs. However, numerous literature references gathered from reliable scientific studies and published in reputable medical journals worldwide are reassuring and do not confirm this concern.

At Dr. Traianos' Reproductive Medicine Center, we offer egg and sperm cryopreservation services for individuals who have a personal or medical reason and require this service. We use the most advanced vitrification technique for the freezing of sperm and eggs.

How long does it take to get pregnant?

How common is infertility?

When should you see a doctor about infertility?

The first step is a discussion.

Frequently Asked Questions most frequently.

When is a couple considered infertile?

Is infertility only a female problem?

What increases the risk of male infertility?

I already have one child, but I am now having difficulty becoming pregnant again. Could a problem have arisen with me or with my partner?

What is the success rate of in vitro fertilization?

How many times can a woman undergo in vitro fertilization (IVF)?

Is egg retrieval painful?

Can IVF medications cause cancer?

Can I freeze my eggs or my sperm?