Why Am I Not Pregnant Yet?

You’ve stopped using contraceptives and you’re doing everything right, but your period still arrives every month. So when should you see a doctor?

“If you’re not pregnant after six months of unprotected sex, it’s a good idea for your partner to get his sperm checked,” advises Dr Clark. Sperm problems account for 50 per cent of fertility problems.

"If you have an irregular cycle, either partner has a history of a sexually transmitted infection, or your partner suspects he has a sperm problem, it’s a good idea to see a doctor sooner than that,” she adds. “And don’t forget that a man’s fertility changes over time, too. A woman in her mid-to-late 30s who is trying to conceive with a partner aged 40 or over will have half the chance each month of conceiving than if her partner is the same age."

Common sense suggests that if you want to fall pregnant, you should have lots of sex. But Dr Hughes says that isn’t the case. “If you do it too often, all the healthy sperm gets ejaculated out and all you’re left with is the immature ones that might not be up to the job,” he explains. “But if you don’t have enough sex, you’re left with the tired, old, lazy ones.”

To further complicate things, recent Australian research suggests that if sperm shows significant DNA damage, the reverse is true: more sex could reduce the DNA damage. Speak to your GP about what you should do.

It takes two to tango

Just because you’re the one who’ll be carrying the baby doesn’t mean your partner gets off scot-free. Both Dr Hughes and Dr Clark agree that your partner should be making the same lifestyle changes you are. That means limiting alcohol, coffee and other toxins (if he’s a smoker, he should quit, too), maintaining a healthy, balanced diet and a sensible weight, and doing plenty of exercise.