It is important to understand the success rates with different treatment options. Here are some questions to ask to help you get a realistic idea of your chance of having a baby with IVF.

• Considering your circumstances and medical history, what chance of having a baby can you expect?
• what is the clinic’s chance of a baby per started stimulated treatment cycle?
• What is the clinic’s chance of success for women of your age?
• What proportion of women in your age-group have embryos available for freezing after a stimulated treatment cycle?
• What is the cumulative chance of having a baby for a woman of your age if she has three stimulated treatment cycles?

You can read more about Understanding IVF success rates here.

Fertility treatment is physically and emotionally demanding, and depending on your needs it can be expensive, so it is important to find a clinic and doctor that’s right for you. You can ask your GP for advice about choosing a fertility specialist, but you can also do your own research before committing to a doctor and clinic. You can read more about choosing a fertility specialist and clinic here.

Speak to your GP about referral to a fertility specialist if you have been trying to get pregnant for 12 months or more of unprotected sex without success. If you are 35 years or older, it is recommended to seek advice after six months of trying unsuccessfully.

If you’ve tried to get pregnant for a year or more, and there’s no explanation for your lack of success, you have unexplained infertility. A fertility specialist can advise you on the best options. You can find out more about unexplained infertility here.

For women, fertility starts to decline around age 30 and from age 35 the decline speeds up. Men’s fertility starts to decline from age 40. Regardless of if you are conceiving naturally or using fertility treatment, women younger than 35 and men younger than 40 have a better chance of having a child than those who are older.

About 30 per cent of women diagnosed with endometriosis have trouble getting pregnant. However, most women with endometriosis become pregnant without the need for treatment. You can find out more about endometriosis and fertility here.

Women with PCOS often take longer to fall pregnant and are more likely to need treatment than women without PCOS. Despite this, studies show little difference between the number of children born to women with PCOS than to those without.

You can find out more about PCOS and fertility here.

If you have been trying to conceive for a year or more without success, it is time to see a doctor. For women aged 35 years or older, speak to your GP after trying for six months or more.

• The Healthy Male website provides the latest scientific and medical research on male reproductive and sexual health.
• The Your Fertility website provides facts about fertility, so that you can make the best possible decisions about having children.
• Make an appointment to talk to your GP about preconception health and trying for a baby.

Your Fertility’s ovulation calculator can help you work out the fertile window. These are the days a woman is most likely to get pregnant.