When Should You Seek Fertility Advice? Signs It May Be Time to Speak to a Specialist

For many people, fertility concerns begin with uncertainty. It is not always clear what is considered normal, how long conception may take, or when it is worth seeking medical advice.

Some people conceive quickly, while others may spend months trying without understanding why pregnancy is not happening. In many cases, people delay seeking support because they assume they simply need more time.

While this is often true, there are situations where earlier assessment can provide reassurance, identify underlying issues, and help people better understand their options.

Fertility Difficulties Are More Common Than Many People Realise

Fertility concerns are extremely common. According to the NHS, around 1 in 7 couples may have difficulty conceiving.¹

Although fertility challenges can affect both men and women, many people are unsure when it becomes appropriate to seek further advice.

For some, the uncertainty itself can become stressful. Questions around timing, symptoms, and whether something may be affecting fertility can often lead people to search for answers long before they speak to a healthcare professional.

How Long Should You Try Before Seeking Fertility Advice?

There is no single timeline that applies to everyone, but general guidance can help.

NICE guidance on fertility problems (NG257, published in March 2026) recommends offering further assessment or a specialist referral if in a heterosexual relationship:²

• You have not conceived after 1 year of unprotected sexual intercourse - both partners should be offered further clinical assessment and investigation
• The woman trying to become pregnant is aged 36 or over - referral for a specialist consultation should be offered straight away
• Either partner has a suspected or known clinical cause of infertility, or a history of predisposing factors for infertility - referral should be offered straight away

Age can affect fertility for both men and women, which is one reason earlier assessment may sometimes be recommended.

For many people, seeking advice does not immediately mean fertility treatment. In many cases, it simply provides clarity and helps identify whether further investigation is needed.

Signs It May Be Worth Speaking to a Specialist

Some symptoms or medical histories may suggest that earlier fertility assessment could be beneficial.

This can include:

• Irregular or absent or heavy periods
• Known conditions such as PMOS (previously known as PCOS) or endometriosis or fibroids
• Pelvic pain or painful periods
• Pain with or unable to have sexual intercourse
• Previous sexually transmitted infections or pelvic surgery
• Recurrent miscarriage
• Male fertility concerns such as undescended testes, injury to or operations on testes/scrotum, sexually transmitted infections, erection or ejaculation problems
• Difficulty conceiving after previous pregnancies

Experiencing one or more of these symptoms does not necessarily mean you will not conceive. However, it may indicate that further assessment would be helpful.

Many people continue trying to conceive for long periods without realising that an underlying issue may be affecting fertility.

Fertility Concerns Can Affect Emotional Wellbeing

Trying to conceive can become emotionally difficult, particularly when uncertainty continues over time.

Many people describe feeling isolated, frustrated, or overwhelmed, especially when those around them appear to conceive more easily.

Seeking advice early can sometimes help reduce uncertainty and provide a clearer understanding of what steps may be appropriate next.

What Happens During a Fertility Assessment?

A fertility assessment is usually designed to understand both medical history and any factors that may be affecting conception.

Depending on the individual situation, this may include:

• Review of medical and lifestyle factors
• Discussion of menstrual cycles and symptoms
• Blood tests to assess hormone levels
• Ultrasound scans
• Tests to check fallopian tubes patency or pelvic health
• Semen analysis
• Urine test for sexual health screening

The aim is to build a clearer picture of reproductive health and identify whether further investigations or specialist support may be beneficial.

For some patients, assessment provides reassurance that no significant concerns are present. For others, it may help identify conditions such as PMOS, endometriosis, ovulation issues, or male fertility factors that could be affecting conception.

Accessing Fertility Support in Leeds and Yorkshire

Accessing fertility advice early can help people better understand their reproductive health and avoid unnecessary delays in assessment.

For patients in Leeds and across Yorkshire, private fertility services can provide:

• Faster access to appointments and investigations
• Consultant-led fertility assessment
• Personalised guidance and treatment pathways
• Referral into specialist fertility care where appropriate

LivingCare supports patients across Yorkshire with fertility assessments, diagnostic services, and coordinated care pathways designed to provide clear information and early support.

Where specialist fertility treatment is needed, patients will be referred into LivingCare’s trusted partnership network, including JIVA Fertility.

References

1. NHS - Infertility
   https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/infertility/
2. NICE - Fertility problems: assessment and treatment (NG257), recommendations 1.16.5 and 1.16.8
   https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng257/chapter/Defining-infertility-and-initial-assessment

Medically reviewed by: Dr Harish Bhandari, Consultant Gynaecologist, Fertility Specialist & Sub-Specialist in Reproductive Medicine & Surgery. Last reviewed: 04/11/26.