Editing Infertility (section)

==Diagnosis==
{{Main|Fertility testing}}
If both partners are young and healthy and have been trying to conceive for one year without success, a visit to a [[physician]] or [[women's health nurse practitioner]] (WHNP) could help to highlight potential medical problems earlier rather than later. The doctor or WHNP may also be able to suggest lifestyle changes to increase the chances of conceiving.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.hfea.gov.uk/en/804.html | title = Infertility Help: When & where to get help for fertility treatment | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20081225235604/http://www.hfea.gov.uk/en/804.html |archive-date=25 December 2008 }}</ref>

However, there are instances where couples should seek reproductive counseling after only 6 months of trying for a [[pregnancy]]:

*The woman is over 35 years old.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Committee on Gynecologic Practice, American Society for Reproductive Medicine |date=January 2019 |title=Prepregnancy counseling |url=https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/committee-opinion/articles/2019/01/prepregnancy-counseling |journal=Fertility and Sterility |language=en |volume=111 |issue=1 |pages=32–42 |doi=10.1016/j.fertnstert.2018.12.003|doi-access=free |pmid=30611411 }}</ref>
*The woman has a history of [[endometriosis]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.brighamandwomens.org/obgyn/infertility-reproductive-surgery/endometriosis/endometriosis-and-fertility | title=Endometriosis and Fertility - Brigham and Women's Hospital }}</ref>
*The woman has infrequent or irregular [[Menstruation|menses]].
*There is a male factor involved.

A doctor or WHNP takes a medical history and gives a physical examination. They can also carry out some basic tests on both partners to see if there is an identifiable reason for not having achieved a pregnancy. Among these tests, blood tests are common and may include serologies to detect infections such as hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV), HIV, syphilis, and rubella. Optional tests like karyotypes can also be performed. For females, specific tests might include measuring antimüllerian hormone (AMH) to assess ovarian reserve, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), prolactin (PRL), and vitamin D levels, which can influence fertility. If necessary, they refer patients to a fertility clinic or local hospital for more specialized tests. The results of these tests help determine the best fertility treatment.