When to Seek a Professional Fertility Evaluation
Couples should consider a medical assessment after 12 months of trying, or six months if the female partner is over 35.
Updated on Oct. 25, 2026 in Pregnancy
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Fertility experts recommend that couples seek a medical evaluation after 12 months of unsuccessful unprotected intercourse. For women over 35, the recommended timeframe for seeking professional assessment is reduced to six months.
Why it matters
Identifying fertility challenges early is essential, as male and female factors each contribute significantly to infertility. Pinpointing the exact timing of ovulation is often difficult, which can cause couples to miss the narrow fertile window.
Infertility affects one in six people globally, with a 2024 Kenyan study finding that 24.5 percent of women aged 15 to 49 trying to conceive experienced infertility over 12 months. It remains unknown how these regional prevalence rates compare to other specific demographic populations worldwide.
The players
Aga Khan University Hospital
A major teaching and research institution providing clinical fertility assessments and diagnostic services.
The details
Couples are advised to have intercourse two to three times a week to ensure coverage of the fertile window, as sperm can survive for several days while an egg remains viable for only 12 to 24 hours after release. Clinical evaluations address both partners, with men undergoing semen analysis and women receiving ovulation checks. Specialists also use procedures such as hysterosalpingography to examine the health and patency of the fallopian tubes.
Timeline
2024: A Kenyan study measured infertility rates among women aged 15 to 49.
12-24 hours: The duration an egg remains viable following release.
6 months: The recommended timeframe for women over 35 to seek assessment.
12 months: The recommended timeframe for couples under 35 to seek assessment.
Health Landscape
These diagnostic timelines follow the clinical protocols established by institutions like the Aga Khan University Hospital to standardize fertility care. They help move the field away from delayed diagnosis by prioritizing early investigation of both male and female factors.
If you are under 35 and have been attempting conception for 12 months, or are 35 or older and have attempted for six months, schedule an initial consultation with your doctor. This assessment should include both partners to evaluate potential male and female contributions to infertility.
The takeaway
Approximately 85 percent of couples who try regularly conceive within a year, but early medical intervention is key when that milestone passes. Consult your physician about performing initial fertility screenings if you fall outside these standard windows of conception.
Further reading
For more information on the diagnostic process, visit Pregnancy.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Kenya Today.
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