The simple idea (no memorising)
Natural pregnancy is a relay race. Any dropped baton reduces fertility:
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This gives five places to look:
| Compartment | Examples of trouble |
|---|---|
| Male | too few or poorly moving sperm |
| Ovarian | not ovulating (e.g. PCOS), low egg reserve |
| Tubal | blocked/scarred tubes (PID, TB, endometriosis) |
| Uterine/cervical | cavity problems, anomalies |
| Unexplained | everything tests normal |
When should a couple seek help?
- After 12 months of trying if the woman is under 35;
- After 6 months if she's 35 or older (because age matters — Concept 31);
- Sooner if there's an obvious reason (no periods, known tube disease, previous PID, chemotherapy, a known male problem).
The three first questions
Remember three words: SPERM · OVULATION · TUBES. A first work‑up checks the man's semen, whether she's ovulating, and whether her tubes and womb are sound. Everything else follows from these.
Why it matters
Framing infertility as a shared, five‑part chain stops the old, unfair habit of investigating only the woman. It's kinder, faster, and finds the real cause more often.
Quick check ✅
- What are the five compartments to consider in infertility?
- When should a 36‑year‑old woman seek evaluation, versus a 30‑year‑old?
Remember this 🌟
Where we're going next → The simplest, kindest place to start is the male side. Concept 30.