What happens when you’re not falling pregnant
and what we can test
What if it’s taking longer than expected?
If you’ve been trying to fall pregnant and nothing’s happened yet, it’s easy to feel stuck, especially if your friends or family didn’t seem to have any trouble.
As a guide, if you’re under 35 and it’s been a year without success, check in with your GP. If you’re over 35, it’s best to check in after six months. These timeframes are a starting point. It’s always OK to ask for help sooner, especially if something feels off.
Understanding
Why might we be having trouble?
There are many reasons why pregnancy might not happen right away. Sometimes it’s hormonal. Sometimes it’s structural. Sometimes it’s lifestyle or age or simply unknown.
Fertility tests are designed to help us understand more. For some people, they provide clear answers. For others, they offer useful clues that help us work out next steps.
Fertility test Perth
Starting with the basics: health and lifestyle
Before we even get to blood tests or scans, we start by looking at general health and habits. These are things you have some control over and even small changes can make a difference.
- Smoking affects egg and sperm quality and is linked to longer time to conception.
- Alcohol is best avoided if you’re trying to conceive; the safest approach is to stop altogether.
- Weight matters for both men and women. Too high or too low can affect ovulation, hormones, and sperm quality.
- Stress, sleep, exercise and diet all play a part. It’s not about being perfect. It’s about creating the best possible environment for pregnancy.
What if everything looks normal?
Sometimes, all the initial tests come back within range and you’re still not pregnant. This is called unexplained infertility. It doesn’t mean nothing is wrong. It just means we haven’t found the answer yet. From here, we can move on to more specific tests or explore different treatment options.
Female fertility test Perth
What do fertility tests actually involve?
Female fertility tests
Your GP may have already ordered a few of these. If not, they’re usually where we begin.
Routine checks
Cervical screening test
to screen for cell changes and check for infections like HPV
Blood tests
for hormone levels, thyroid function, and vitamin levels like iron and vitamin D
Breast exam
or mammogram, depending on your age and history
Dental health
matters too. Poor gum health has been linked to fertility issues
Specialist investigations/treatments
Once you’re referred to a fertility specialist, we may recommend further testing:
- Cycle tracking: Blood tests and ultrasounds across your cycle to check ovulation and the health of your uterine lining.
- Pelvic ultrasound: A closer look at your uterus and ovaries to check for fibroids, cysts or polycystic ovaries.
- Fallopian tube test (HSG): An x-ray to see if your tubes are open. If they’re blocked, sperm and egg can’t meet.
- AMH blood test: This test tells us more about your egg reserve.
- Laparoscopy or hysteroscopy: These procedures let us look inside your pelvis and uterus if we suspect conditions like endometriosis or scarring.
Male fertility test Perth
Male fertility tests
Male factors contribute to around one-third of fertility issues. Testing is just as important for men as it is for women.
Specialist investigations/treatments:
Semen analysis
We assess sperm count, movement and shape.
DNA fragmentation test
Checks the health of the sperm DNA, which plays a role in fertilisation and embryo development.
Anti-sperm antibodies
These can reduce the ability of sperm to fertilise an egg.
Blood tests
These check for hormone levels or underlying health issues.
Testicular sperm retrieval (TESA)
In some cases, if there’s no sperm in the sample, we may need to collect sperm directly from the testicle.
What people often tell me
- “We just wanted to rule things out. Knowing where we stood helped us breathe again.”
- “We both assumed it was something on my side, but it turned out to be a bit of both.”
When should I see a fertility specialist?
If you’ve had basic testing and things still aren’t moving forward, or if you’ve had multiple miscarriages, irregular cycles, or known conditions like endometriosis or PCOS, it might be time to see a specialist.
Fertility treatment Perth
What happens after you take the tests?
Once we’ve reviewed your results, we’ll sit down together and look at your options. These might include:
- Ovulation tracking if you’re trying naturally
- Ovulation induction if your cycle needs support
- IUI (insemination) to help more sperm reach the egg
- IVF if we need to create embryos in the lab
- ICSI if sperm need a more direct path to fertilise the egg
Dr Tamara Hunter
What now?
- Start tracking your cycle. If you’re not already doing this, it’s a helpful first step. You can note your period dates, symptoms, ovulation, and anything else that stands out. I’ve co-founded charli.health, an app to help you keep everything in one place.
- Speak with your GP. Ask if imaging is needed, especially if you've had fertility challenges or recurrent miscarriage
- Reach out when you’re ready. Whether you’ve just started trying or you’ve been on this road for a while, I’m here to help. I consult at The Woom (West Perth) and at Monash IVF (West Leederville). Fertility treatments and testing are carried out at Monash IVF West Leederville.