Chances of Conceiving When Both Partners are Healthy
For healthy couples not using contraception, approximately 85% will conceive within one year of regular unprotected intercourse. 1
Natural Conception Rates
- Among couples attempting to conceive without contraception, approximately 85% will achieve pregnancy within the first year 1
- Of these pregnancies, about 80% occur within the first six cycles of trying to conceive 2
- After 12 unsuccessful cycles, couples who continue trying can still achieve approximately 55% live birth rate in the following 36 months without medical intervention 2
- Only about 5% of couples are considered definitively infertile after 48 months of trying 2
Factors Affecting Conception
- Age: Female fertility declines with age, particularly after age 35, which may warrant earlier investigation if conception doesn't occur within 6 cycles rather than the standard 12 cycles 3
- Timing of intercourse: Conception is only possible approximately five days before up to several hours after ovulation 4
- Frequency of intercourse: Regular intercourse during the fertile window increases chances of conception 4
- Health status: Various medical conditions can impact fertility in both partners 5
When to Seek Medical Evaluation
- For women under 35 years of age, medical evaluation is typically recommended after 12 months of unsuccessful attempts 5
- For women 35 years and older, evaluation is recommended after 6 months of unsuccessful attempts 5, 3
- Immediate evaluation is warranted if there are known risk factors for infertility regardless of age 5
Common Causes of Infertility When Present
- Approximately 85% of infertile couples have an identifiable cause 5
- The most common causes include:
- The remaining 15% have "unexplained infertility" 5
Conception Rates for Couples with Subfertility
- Even couples diagnosed with unexplained or mild male subfertility have approximately 24.5% chance of natural conception over 12 months 6
- This natural conception rate varies from 22% to 35% depending on female age (between 18-38 years) and duration of subfertility (1-3 years) 6
Practical Implications
- Healthy couples should be reassured that the majority will conceive naturally within one year 1
- Timed intercourse (using ovulation prediction methods) may improve pregnancy rates compared to intercourse without ovulation prediction 4
- Lifestyle modifications such as maintaining healthy weight and avoiding smoking can optimize fertility 5
- For couples concerned about fertility, tracking menstrual cycles and timing intercourse around the fertile window may be beneficial 4
Caveat: These statistics represent population averages and individual couples may experience different outcomes based on their specific circumstances.