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Advice on how long it takes to get pregnant, what regular sex means, and when to get help if you can't get pregnant.
It's impossible to say how long it takes to get pregnant because it's different for each woman.
Many factors can affect a couple's chances of conceiving, such as:
Some women become pregnant quickly, while others take longer. This may be upsetting, but it's normal.
Most couples will get pregnant within a year if they have regular sex and don't use contraception.
But women become less fertile as they get older.
The effect of age on men's fertility is less clear.
Having regular sex means having sex every 2 to 3 days throughout the month.
Some couples may try to time having sex with when the woman ovulates (releases an egg).
But do not worry about the timing of when you have sex if it makes you feel stressed.
Lots of factors can cause fertility problems, including:
Some of these factors affect either women or men.
The most common causes are ovulation failure (which can be caused by lots of different things) and sperm disorders.
Read more detailed information about the causes of infertility.
If you have been trying for a baby for 1 year without success, see your GP for advice.
It's important to continue taking any medication prescribed unless your GP/specialist specifically tells you to stop. Please visit our Existing Health Conditions page for more information, or visit 'Bumps' ('Best Use of Medicines in Pregnancy').
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