Not getting pregnant is frustrating. Often a few simple changes make a big difference. This page pulls together clear, practical tips you can use right away — tracking ovulation, timing sex, checking meds, and knowing when to see a doctor.
Track your cycle. Use an ovulation predictor kit (OPK) or track basal body temperature for a few months so you know your fertile window. If you don’t ovulate regularly, read our piece “Is It Bad to Not Ovulate?” for what that can mean and what tests to ask your doctor for.
Time sex for the fertile window. Sperm can live up to five days, so the best chance is sex in the five days before ovulation and the day of ovulation. Aim for sex every 1–2 days during that window instead of only once when you think ovulation happens.
Cut habits that reduce fertility. Stop smoking, limit alcohol to occasional use, and keep caffeine reasonable. Aim for a healthy BMI — both underweight and overweight can disrupt hormones and ovulation.
Take folic acid now. If you might get pregnant, start 400–800 mcg of folic acid daily to lower the risk of neural tube defects. It’s an easy, evidence-backed step.
Check medicines. Some prescriptions affect fertility or mask ovulation. For example, drugs that change your periods or hormones may need a doctor’s review. We cover birth control options and alternatives in our articles on Provera and Ethinyl estradiol/norgestimate alternatives — useful reads if you’re switching or stopping hormonal contraception.
See a doctor sooner if you’re over 35, have irregular cycles, known reproductive issues, or a history of pelvic infection. General guidance: try for 12 months if you’re under 35, and 6 months if you’re 35 or older, but get help earlier when there are clear problems.
Ask for basic tests: semen analysis for your partner, blood tests (AMH, FSH, LH, TSH, prolactin) for you, and an ultrasound to check ovulation and ovarian health. If a medication like Provera was used to regulate periods, discuss how that fits into a fertility plan.
Don’t ignore male factors. Male fertility issues cause about half of couples’ infertility. A simple semen analysis gives fast, actionable info.
Be cautious buying fertility drugs online. If a medication is needed, get a prescription and use licensed pharmacies. We review online pharmacy safety on this site — worth reading before ordering anything online.
Small changes add up. Track your cycle, time sex properly, optimize lifestyle, and get the right tests when progress stalls. If you want targeted steps based on your situation, bring your cycle notes and any meds list to your appointment — it speeds up the right next move.
Posted by Ian Skaife with 12 comment(s)
Apr
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