When to Consult an Infertility Specialist

When pregnancy does not occur naturally as planned, seeking professional guidance represents the optimal path forward. There is wisdom in the saying that “it is not important to know everything; the most important is to know who to ask” — and Google cannot substitute for proper medical consultation.

Standard Timeline for Consultation

  • Under 35 years old: Seek consultation after 12 months of trying without success
  • Over 35 years old: Reduce this timeframe to 6 months

Reasons for Immediate Consultation

Do not wait if any of the following apply:

  • Irregular or absent menstrual cycles
  • Family history of reproductive or genetic issues
  • Previous surgeries affecting the reproductive organs
  • Suspected specific problems (e.g., prior endometriosis diagnosis, polycystic ovary syndrome)
  • Abnormal semen analysis results
  • You are a single person or same-sex couple planning to use assisted reproduction

Why Timely Consultation Matters

Timely consultation enables proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment planning — preventing both unnecessary testing and inadequate evaluation, and directing patients toward the most effective solutions efficiently.

The first consultation is primarily about information gathering: understanding your history, evaluating your ovarian reserve, and identifying any factors that might affect your path to parenthood. It is not a commitment to any particular treatment — it is a conversation.

Dr. Demián Glujovsky

Written by
Scientific Director at CEGYR, Argentina’s first reproductive medicine center. Cochrane editor and reviewer, 50+ peer-reviewed publications, trained at Columbia University NY and RMA New Jersey.