How Long Does It Take To Get Pregnant? A Comprehensive Guide

Getting pregnant can be an exciting yet stressful time. If you’re trying to conceive, you may be wondering – how long does it actually take to get pregnant? The answer is not straightforward, as many factors affect fertility and conception timelines. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about average conception times, factors impacting fertility, tips for getting pregnant faster, and when to see a doctor.

Key Takeaways:

For couples under 35 having regular unprotected sex, average conception time is 1-6 months.
The most fertile window is the 5 days leading up to and including the day of ovulation. Having well-timed sex during this fertile window maximizes chances.
Age, health conditions, menstrual cycle irregularities, stress, and other lifestyle factors can all impact fertility and time to conception.
Tips like tracking ovulation, having frequent sex, managing stress, maintaining a healthy BMI, taking prenatal vitamins, and avoiding tobacco and excess alcohol can help boost fertility.
It’s recommended to see a doctor if you haven’t conceived after trying for 12 months under 35 or 6 months over 35. Earlier evaluation may be needed for underlying conditions.

Average Time To Get Pregnant

For couples trying to conceive without known fertility issues, how long does it typically take to get pregnant? Here’s an overview of average conception times:

Women Under 35

80% will conceive within 6 months of having regular, unprotected sex during the fertile window.
Another 10% will conceive within 9-12 months.
The remaining 10% take longer than 12 months to conceive – which meets the clinical definition of infertility.

Women Over 35

Fertility begins declining after age 35, so average conception times are longer.
75% will conceive within 6 months of trying.
Another 10% will conceive within 9 months.
The remaining 15% take over 12 months to get pregnant.

As you can see, a healthy couple in their 20s or early 30s has an 85-90% chance of conceiving within a year. But the timeline can vary widely – while some conceive the first month, others can take longer. Let’s look at the factors that affect conception timelines.

Factors That Impact How Long It Takes To Get Pregnant

Why do some couples conceive quickly, while others take longer? Here are the key factors that affect fertility and time to conception:

Age

Age is one of the most important fertility factors for women.

In the early and mid 20s, fertility is at its peak. Average time to conceive is 1-2 cycles.
Fertility gradually declines in the late 20s and early 30s. By 35, chances of conceiving each cycle drop to 20-25%.
After 35, fertility rapidly declines as egg quantity and quality diminish. By 40, chances of conceiving per cycle are only 5%.

While men’s fertility also declines with age, the impact isn’t as strong. Older male age is linked to lower sperm quality.

Menstrual Cycle Regularity

Irregular cycles make it harder to time intercourse during the fertile window.

Women with very long (over 35 days), very short (under 21 days), or inconsistent cycles tend to have lower ovulation rates and take longer to conceive.
Disorders like PCOS that cause irregular cycles also lower fertility.
Regular cycles between 21-35 days are optimal for conceiving quickly.

General Health and Lifestyle Factors

Overall health impacts reproductive health. Leading a healthy lifestyle helps optimize fertility for both women and men.

Being significantly over or underweight can make conception more difficult.
Smoking and excessive alcohol hurt egg and sperm quality.
Chronic health conditions like diabetes require control for optimal fertility.
Stress and anxiety can disrupt menstrual cycles and hormones.
Environmental toxin exposure can impact fertility – avoid when possible.
Fertility also depends somewhat on genetics and DNA integrity.

Sexual Health and Frequency of Intercourse

Maximizing the chances of sperm meeting egg is key.

Having infrequent sex lowers pregnancy chances since fewer cycles are exposed to sperm. At least 2-3 times a week improves likelihood.
Abnormalities like erectile dysfunction or painful intercourse need medical treatment.
Vaginal lubrication issues must be addressed.
Previous tubal ligation, vasectomy or infections may cause fertility issues.

Medical Conditions Affecting Fertility

Untreated medical problems are common reasons for infertility.

PCOS, endometriosis, and uterine fibroids lower female fertility.
Male factor infertility caused by varicocele, infections, etc. impacts sperm.
Uncontrolled chronic conditions like thyroid disease can prevent conception.
Being under or overweight disrupts hormones.

If any underlying conditions exist, treat them prior to conception.

When To Have Sex To Get Pregnant Fast

Timing intercourse during the “fertile window” around ovulation is absolutely key to getting pregnant quickly. Here’s an overview:

Ovulation is when a mature egg is released from the ovary. It happens roughly once per menstrual cycle.
The egg can only be fertilized within 12-24 hours of ovulation.
However, sperm survive 3-5 days inside the female reproductive tract.
So the fertile window spans the 5 days leading up to and including ovulation day.
Having sex every 2-3 days during the fertile window maximizes the chance sperm will be waiting to fertilize the egg.
Apps, ovulation test kits, and fertility tracking methods can pinpoint your ovulation date.
Once the egg is released, conception chances that cycle drop dramatically.

Well-timed intercourse is vital, yet over half of couples trying to conceive don’t properly understand their fertile window. Track your cycle and time sex to boost your odds each month.

Tips for Getting Pregnant Faster

If you’re tired of waiting to conceive, here are some effective tips for improving your fertility and getting pregnant faster:

1. Track Ovulation

As explained, timing sex for the fertile window is crucial for quick conception. There are two ways to predict ovulation:

Ovulation predictor kits detect the LH surge 24-36 hours before ovulation. Start testing after your period ends. When the test is positive, ovulation is imminent.
Fertility awareness methods like basal body temperature tracking help pinpoint ovulation day. Apps like Natural Cycles combine temperature and period data.

Start checking for signs like cervical mucus changes around day 10 of your cycle. Have sex when ovulation is approaching.

2. Have well-timed, frequent sex

To maximize fertility:

Have sex every 2-3 days during the 10-14 day fertile window. This ensures fresh sperm are waiting for ovulation.
Try positions that allow for deep penetration to deposit sperm closest to the cervix. Such as rear entry poses.
Have sex before ovulation day since sperm survival rates are higher.
Avoid excessive lubricants which can harm sperm. Use sperm-friendly options only if needed.

3. Maintain a healthy BMI

Being significantly over or underweight can prevent conception.

Low body fat disrupts menstrual cycles and stops ovulation. Under 18.5 is too low.
High body fat leads to hormonal imbalances. Over 30 BMI makes conception harder.
Eat a balanced diet high in fertility boosting foods. Moderate activity helps manage weight.

4. Take a prenatal vitamin

Start taking a prenatal vitamin at least 2-3 months before conception.

Folic acid, iron, and other vitamins are essential for reproductive health.

Deficiencies can cause problems.

A daily prenatal ensures you get enough of the key nutrients.
Your partner can also take a vitamin with antioxidants to improve sperm quality.

5. Manage stress

Too much stress causes hormonal imbalances that disrupt ovulation.

High cortisol and adrenaline halt production of reproductive hormones.
Chronic stress leads to missed periods, anovulatory cycles, and inflammation.
Try daily relaxation practices – meditation, yoga, walks outdoors. Spend time doing hobbies you enjoy to take time for yourself when TTC.

6. Avoid tobacco, limit alcohol and caffeine

Smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and high caffeine intake make conception more difficult.

Tobacco is extremely toxic to eggs and sperm. Quit entirely at least 3 months before conception.
More than 5 drinks per week for women leads to ovulatory disorders and miscarriage risk.
High caffeine intake can disrupt menstrual cycles. Limit to 200-300 mg daily.

7. Get any underlying conditions under control

See your doctor to diagnose and manage any suspected medical issues before pregnancy.

Conditions like endometriosis, PCOS, thyroid problems, uncontrolled diabetes, STDs and many others impact fertility if left untreated.
Medications for chronic illnesses may need to be switched prior to conception. Inform your doctor you want to get pregnant.
Male factor infertility also needs evaluation if sperm quality is poor.

Getting existing conditions under control will boost fertility fast.

When To See A Doctor About Fertility Issues

If you’ve been trying to get pregnant for 6 months or longer with no success, it’s a good idea to get a fertility evaluation. Here are the general recommendations:

Under 35 Years Old

Try to conceive naturally for 12 months before seeing a doctor.
90% of healthy couples will conceive within 12 months of well-timed unprotected sex.
If you’re under 35, don’t panic until you’ve tried for a full year.

Over 35 Years Old

Try for 6 months before seeking help if you’re over 35.
Declining egg quantity and quality mean couples over 35 should get evaluated sooner.
The chances of an underlying fertility condition also increase with age.

Pre-existing Conditions

See a doctor sooner than usual if you have irregular cycles, known medical problems, prior pregnancies/STIs or other risk factors.
Many conditions can only be treated before conception occurs.
Don’t delay if any fertility red flags are suspected.

Recurrent Pregnancy Loss

If you’ve had 2 or more miscarriages, seek medical help immediately.
Repeat pregnancy loss usually indicates an underlying condition needing treatment.
Getting a full workup after 1 miscarriage is reasonable as well.

Don’t hesitate to get evaluated sooner than these guidelines if you have any reason for concern.

Fertility Testing And Treatment Overview

If you don’t conceive after trying for the recommended time period, your doctor will start with these basic fertility tests:

Female Fertility Testing

Physical exam and medical history
Blood tests to measure hormones
Ovulation testing
HSG or SHG to assess uterine and fallopian tube health
Ultrasound to examine ovaries and uterus

Male Fertility Testing

Semen analysis to assess sperm count, motility, and morphology
Physical exam of genitals
Hormone testing
Ultrasound to check ejaculatory ducts and other structures

Based on test results, your doctor may diagnose issues like:

Hormonal imbalances – can be treated with medications to induce ovulation, thyroid medication, etc.
Structural problems in uterus or fallopian tubes – may need surgery to repair
Poor sperm quality – can be treated by urologists with medications or procedures
Unexplained infertility – treatments like ovulation-stimulating drugs or IUI can be used

More invasive techniques like IVF may be needed if simpler treatments aren’t successful. There are many options for overcoming fertility problems.

The key is to get tested sooner than later, so any existing issues can be caught and corrected before trying to conceive for too long.

When To Stop Trying And Consider Other Options

Wanting to get pregnant can become physically and emotionally exhausting when it takes longer than expected. When is it time to stop trying?

If you’re under 35, try to conceive naturally for a full year before considering other options like IVF.
If you’re over 35, make 6 months the cut-off before moving to advanced treatments. The risks of waiting longer increase after 35.
If testing uncovers blocked fallopian tubes, severe male factor infertility, or other structural problems, you may be advised to move forward with IVF more quickly. Natural conception may not be possible.
If you’ve experienced multiple miscarriages, your doctor may recommend IVF with PGT-A testing to identify any abnormal embryos.
Ultimately it’s a personal choice. The stress of continuing to try can become too much. It may be time to stop when your quality of life is suffering significantly. Counseling often helps cope with the emotions.
Discuss all options fully with your doctor so you can make the right decision for you.

While most couples will conceive within a year or two, it’s understandable to feel anxious when your pregnancy tests keep coming back negative. Stay hopeful, turn to your doctor for help if needed, and don’t neglect your mental health. For the majority of couples, getting pregnant is possible with patience and the right assistance.

The Takeaway

For healthy couples under 35, up to 90% will conceive within 12 months of well-timed intercourse during the fertile window. But 1 in 10 couples takes longer than a year to get pregnant naturally. Over 35, or with medical conditions, the timeline may be shorter.

Many factors like age, weight, underlying diseases, hormone levels and sexual frequency affect fertility and time to conception. By tracking ovulation, having properly timed frequent sex, optimizing health, and seeking treatment for any existing problems, you can maximize your chances of getting pregnant quickly.

While waiting to conceive can be difficult, most couples will eventually get pregnant by following a fertility-focused lifestyle. Know when to get a fertility workup based on your age and circumstances. With proper medical guidance, the odds of conceiving and having a healthy baby remain very high for most.