Fertility Experts Detail Guidelines for Conceiving
Medical professionals recommend seeking fertility evaluations based on age and the duration of unsuccessful attempts.
Updated on Oct. 25, 2026 in Pregnancy
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Fertility experts suggest couples should seek medical evaluations after 12 months of unsuccessful unprotected intercourse. Women over 35 are advised to consult a professional after six months of attempts to improve their chances of conception.
Why it matters
Identifying the fertile window is often difficult for couples, potentially leading to missed opportunities for conception. Addressing potential male and female factors through early assessment can significantly assist in diagnosing and managing fertility challenges.
Approximately 85 percent of couples who try regularly conceive within one year, with 5 per 100 fertile women conceiving in any given menstrual cycle. An egg remains viable for only 12 to 24 hours after release.
The players
Aga Khan University Hospital
This institution is a prominent provider of medical services where fertility specialists provide expert guidance on reproductive health.
The details
Initial fertility assessments generally include semen analysis for men and ovulation checks for women to identify potential barriers. Procedures such as hysterosalpingography and hysterosalpingo-contrast sonography are utilized to examine fallopian tube patency.
Timeline
2024: A Kenyan study measured infertility rates among women.
6 months: Recommended timeframe for women over 35 to seek assessment.
12 months: Recommended timeframe for general couples to seek assessment.
12-24 hours: Viability duration of an egg after release.
Culture Shift
These recommendations follow the standard WHO fertility assessment protocols for managing reproductive health. This guidance reinforces a global shift toward normalizing medical intervention when natural conception timelines are exceeded.
Couples are encouraged to have intercourse two to three times a week to ensure they cover the narrow fertile window. Following these medical timelines helps remove the guesswork from conception efforts and facilitates earlier access to necessary diagnostic testing.
The takeaway
Understanding the biological limitations of egg viability is critical for timing conception attempts correctly. Couples should focus on consistent patterns and consult specialists if they do not conceive within the recommended one-year or six-month windows.
Further reading
For more information on reproductive health, see our guide to Pregnancy.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Kenya Today.
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