It’s impossible to say how long it takes to get pregnant because it’s different for each woman.
Many factors can affect your chances of conceiving, such as:
- your age
- your general health
- your reproductive health
- how often you have sex
Some women become pregnant quickly, while it takes longer for others. This may be upsetting, but it’s normal.
Fertility
Most couples (about 84 out of every 100) will get pregnant within a year if they have regular sex and don’t use contraception. About 92 out of 100 couples trying to get pregnant will do so within two years.
Women become less fertile as they get older. For women aged 35, about 94 out of every 100 who have regular unprotected sex will get pregnant after three years of trying. However, for women aged 38, only 77 out of every 100 will do so.
The effect of age on men’s fertility is less clear.
What does ‘have regular sex’ mean?
Having regular sex means having sex every two to three days throughout the month.
Some couples may try to time having sex with when the woman ovulates (releases an egg). However, guidance from NICE (National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence) advises that this causes stress and is not recommended.
Fertility problems
Fertility problems affect one in seven couples in the UK.
Many factors can cause fertility problems, including:
- hormonal (endocrine) disorders such as problems with the thyroid or pituitary glands
- physical disorders such as obesity, anorexia nervosa or excessive exercise
- disorders of the reproductive system such as infections, blocked fallopian tubes, endometriosis or low sperm count
Some of these factors affect either women or men. Others can affect both partners. The most common causes are ovulation failure (which itself can have many causes) and sperm disorders.
In nearly one-third of people, fertility problems cannot be explained.
Getting help
If you’ve been trying for a baby for one to two years without success, see your GP for advice.
Further information:
