Infertility and your general practitioner (GP)

It can be difficult deciding when to visit your doctor. Many women wait until they have tried umpteen times to conceive or have had several menstrual cycles. Men can be reluctant to admit there is a problem or will wait for a long period of time before seeking help.

When should you visit your GP?

There is no set time or date for visiting your doctor but your age (women) and the nature of your fertility problem (both men and women) will dictate when you make an appointment.

Medical experts define infertility as a period of one year without successful conception, which applies to women under the age of 35.
If you and your partner have been trying unsuccessfully to conceive for one year then now is the time to make an appointment.

The period of infertility differs for women aged 35 and over. This is reduced to 6 months in these cases. If you are a woman over 35 and you have been trying to conceive for the last 6 months then see your doctor. And see your GP if you have experienced menstrual problems, an ectopic pregnancy or a pelvic disease such as polycystic ovarian syndrome.

What is important is that both of you make an appointment. Even though many people assume it to be a female problem, statistics show that men account for around 25% of infertility cases. Plus it is a time when both of you need to help and support each other so your male partner or husband needs to be there.

When you first visit your doctor he or she will ask you a series of question before carrying out a medical examination of you both. This will then be followed by a series of tests.

Infertility and your general practitioner Guide Index:

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• When should you visit your GP?
• Likely questions about infertility from your GP
• Indicators of infertility

• Fertility tips for women
• Fertility tips for men

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