The chance each cycle
ACOG says healthy couples in their 20s or early 30s have about a 25 to 30 percent chance of pregnancy in any single cycle.[1] It says the chance declines from the early 30s, faster after 37, and is less than 10 percent per cycle by 40.[1]
When to see a doctor
Sources differ
Sources set the time frames in similar but not identical ways:[2][1]
- OWH says to see a doctor after 1 year of frequent sex without birth control if you are under 35.[2] It says to see a doctor after 6 months if you are 35 or older.[2]
- ACOG recommends an evaluation after 1 year of regular sex without birth control, after 6 months if you are older than 35, and talking with an ob-gyn right away if you are older than 40.[1]
OWH says to go sooner if you think you may have fertility problems or concerns about sexual function.[2]
MedlinePlus says infertility means not becoming pregnant after 1 year or more of frequent unprotected sex, or 6 months for women 35 and older.[3] It says the term also covers repeated miscarriage or stillbirth.[3]
Common causes
ACOG says the most common causes are problems with ovulation in women and problems with sperm in men, and sometimes no cause is found.[1] It says an evaluation is usually done within a few cycles.[1]
ACOG says being underweight or overweight, exercising to excess, moderate to heavy drinking and smoking can lower a woman's fertility.[1] It says smoking, heavy drinking and marijuana can lower sperm count and movement.[1]
Questions families ask
Is it normal not to get pregnant in the first month?
ACOG says healthy couples in their 20s or early 30s have about a 25 to 30 percent chance of pregnancy in any single cycle.[1]
When should I see a doctor about getting pregnant?
OWH says to see a doctor after 1 year of frequent sex without birth control if you are under 35.[2] It says to see a doctor after 6 months if you are 35 or older.[2]
Does age change the time frame?
ACOG recommends an evaluation after 1 year of regular sex without birth control, after 6 months if you are older than 35, and talking with an ob-gyn right away if you are older than 40.[1]
Free from UpOnly Learning. Written for families of every faith. No outside ads and no affiliate links. Every fact on this page comes from the sources listed below. How we source and review these pages
Updated 2026-10-24: first published.
Sources
All sources were opened and checked on the date shown.
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Evaluating Infertility. Checked October 24, 2026.
- Office on Women's Health (HHS). Trying to conceive. Checked October 24, 2026.
- MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine). Infertility. Checked October 24, 2026.