What is Infertility?

According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine…

‘‘Infertility’’ is a disease, condition, or status characterized by any of the following:

• The inability to achieve a successful pregnancy based on a patient’s medical, sexual, and reproductive history, age, physical findings, diagnostic testing, or any combination of those factors.

• The need for medical intervention, including, but not limited to, the use of donor gametes or donor embryos in order to achieve a successful pregnancy either as an individual or with a partner.

Also important to note, the way ASRM defines infertility should not be used to deny care to people regardless of orientation or relationship status.

For people having penile-vaginal intercourse:

• If you are under 35, infertility is defined as not getting pregnant after a year of trying

• If you are 35-40, get evaluated if you have been trying for 6 months

• If you are 40 and older, get evaluated right away! 

Importantly, if your menstrual cycles don’t predictably come every. 21-35 days, or a healthcare provider has previously informed you that you may behave trouble conceiving, it is reasonable to consider seeing a provider like a reproductive endocrinologist sooner.