Trying To Get Pregnant For 6 Months—What To Do | Fix It

You’re doing the right thing by asking what to do at the six-month mark. Conception hinges on timing, healthy sperm and eggs, and a clear path for them to meet. The plan below gives you a tight checklist, the science behind each step, and when to bring in a clinician. One H2 includes a close variation of the main phrase, and you’ll also see the exact keyword twice in headings and naturally inside the text, with no stuffing.

Six-Month Fertility Fix: What To Tackle First

Start with the highest-yield actions. These steps address the usual bottlenecks—ovulation timing, sperm exposure, and basic health habits. Keep it simple, track a few key signals, and set a date for next moves based on age.

Six-Month Fertility Checklist: Action, Why It Matters, How To Do It

Action	Why It Matters	How To Do It
Time Sex Around Ovulation	Fertile window is short; sperm need to be present when the egg releases.	Have sex every 2–3 days; add a session on LH-surge day and the next day.
Track One Primary Signal	Confirms or predicts ovulation so you hit the window.	Use LH strips or a reliable app with LH input; optional BBT for confirmation.
Keep Sex Simple	Frequency beats perfect prediction.	Aim for steady every-other-day sex through mid-cycle; lube should be sperm-safe.
Start Folic Acid	Reduces neural tube defects and supports early development.	Take 400 mcg daily; higher doses only if advised for specific risks.
Quit Smoking/Vaping	Tobacco harms egg, sperm, and implantation.	Stop fully; get help lines or local programs if needed.
Dial Back Alcohol	Alcohol can reduce fertility and harms early pregnancy.	Skip alcohol while trying; same ask for the male partner.
Weight In A Healthy Range	Very high or very low BMI can disrupt hormones.	Small, steady changes; focus on protein, plants, and fiber-rich carbs.
Review Meds/Supplements	Some drugs affect ovulation or sperm.	Ask your prescriber about safer swaps; avoid high-dose vitamin A.
Screen For STIs If At Risk	Untreated infections can block tubes or lower sperm quality.	Book testing if you have risk factors or symptoms.
Set An Age-Based Deadline	Earlier checks speed results at 35+.	Under 35: plan a 12-month check; 35+: book at 6 months; 40+: book now.

Two quick source anchors for the core rules you’ll see below: the ACOG guidance on when to seek an evaluation and the NHS page on timing sex and folic acid. These cover age cutoffs, fertile-window timing, and basic prep.

Trying To Get Pregnant For 6 Months—What To Do: Quick Flow

Work down this flow, then decide whether to continue trying or book checks now. The exact phrase appears here to match the query, and the steps stick to consensus rules.

Check Timing First

Most couples conceive when sex happens in the two days before ovulation and on ovulation day. An LH surge usually precedes ovulation by about 24–36 hours. If your cycles vary, rely less on calendars and more on LH strips and a steady every-other-day cadence through the middle of the cycle. The goal is sperm present before the egg arrives.

How To Know You’re Hitting The Window

• LH test strips: Test afternoon or evening as mid-cycle approaches; surge day plus the next day are prime.
• Basal body temperature: Confirms ovulation after the fact; useful if you want proof you did ovulate.
• Cervical mucus: Slippery, stretchy mucus often marks the most fertile days.

Make Intercourse Friendly For Sperm

Skip douches, avoid hot tubs and high heat on the scrotum, and choose a sperm-friendly lubricant. Daily sex isn’t required; every 2–3 days balances quality and frequency.

Cover Health Basics That Affect Fertility

Take 400 mcg folic acid daily unless you’ve been told to use a prescribed higher dose for a specific condition. Keep caffeine moderate. Build meals around lean protein, legumes, vegetables, fruit, whole grains, and healthy fats. Aim for regular sleep and routine movement. These are modest levers, but together they help cycles run on time and help sperm quality.

Trying To Get Pregnant For Six Months—Next Best Steps

This close variation captures search language while staying natural. At six months, your next moves hinge on age and any known risk factors.

If You’re Under 35

Keep trying through the 12-month point while tightening timing and the basics above. If cycles are very irregular (fewer than nine periods per year), if you never see an LH surge, or if you have severe pain with periods or sex, book an evaluation now rather than waiting. These are common signs of ovulatory issues or endometriosis.

If You’re 35 Or Older

Book an evaluation at the six-month mark even if everything else looks fine. Age reduces egg quantity and quality, so compressing the timeline raises the odds of success. This cut-off aligns with major bodies that set timely evaluation to 6 months at 35+.

If You’re 40 Or Older

Don’t wait. Book now. You can keep trying while workup begins, but early testing puts options on the table sooner.

What An Initial Evaluation Usually Includes

The aim is to check the three pillars: ovulation, sperm, and anatomy. The first pass is simple, targeted, and often handled by a GP, midwife clinic, or OB-GYN, with referrals if needed.

Ovulation Check

• Cycle history: Regular 21–35-day cycles usually mean ovulation.
• Labs when needed: A mid-luteal progesterone may confirm ovulation in unclear cases.
• Thyroid and prolactin: Measured if symptoms or irregular cycles suggest a hormonal blocker.

Semen Analysis

Male-factor issues are common and often silent. A single test checks count, movement, and shape. Abnormal results prompt a repeat and, if needed, a urology referral.

Pelvic Anatomy And Tubes

An ultrasound looks at the uterus and ovaries. A dye test can show if the fallopian tubes are open. Findings like fibroids inside the cavity, large polyps, or blocked tubes change the plan.

When To Move From Trying To Testing

Use these age-based triggers, plus any red flags like very irregular cycles, pelvic pain, a history of pelvic infection, or prior testicular injury.

Testing Triggers And First-Line Checks

Who	When To Start	First Tests
Under 35, regular cycles	After 12 months of timed sex	Semen analysis; ovulation confirmation; targeted labs
35 to 39	After 6 months of timed sex	All of the above; ultrasound; consider tube test
40+	Now	All of the above; discussion of timelines and options
Irregular or absent periods	Now	Hormonal labs; ovulation assessment; ultrasound
Severe pelvic pain or known endometriosis	Now	Ultrasound; referral as needed
History of pelvic infection or surgery	Now	Tube test; ultrasound
Male partner with prior chemo, injury, or varicocele	Now	Semen analysis; urology referral if abnormal

Fine-Tune The Fertile Window

Most conceptions follow an LH surge by one to two days. If strips confuse you, keep sex steady every 2–3 days from day 8–9 in a typical 28-day cycle through day 18–19. For longer or shorter cycles, shift that window. This approach matches the idea that frequent exposure beats perfect prediction, which many national health pages echo.

Common Timing Pitfalls

• Stopping sex after a surge instead of keeping one more session the next day.
• Testing LH only in the morning; many surges peak later in the day.
• Relying on calendar averages when cycles swing widely.

Lifestyle Levers With Real Impact

Nicotine And Vaping

Nicotine lowers sperm count and damages egg quality. Stop fully. Ask your clinician for local help if stopping alone isn’t working.

Alcohol

Skip alcohol while trying. It adds no benefit for fertility and carries early pregnancy risk.

Body Weight And Metabolism

Very low or high BMI can reduce ovulation or sperm quality. Aim for steady changes. Lift, walk, or do short body-weight sessions. Eat enough protein, keep produce high, and pick slow-digesting carbs most of the time.

Heat And Toxins

For the male partner, avoid hot tubs and prolonged laptop heat on the lap. In both partners, limit high-exposure toxins at work if that applies.

What If Your Periods Are Irregular?

Irregular cycles point to ovulation issues. Screen for thyroid shifts, high prolactin, or polycystic ovary syndrome features. If ovulation isn’t happening, treatments exist—from lifestyle changes to medication that induces ovulation. Timely checks help decide the path.

What If Everything Looks Normal?

That’s common. Many couples have normal tests and still conceive with a little more time. Age guides how long to keep trying before moving to treatments. Under 35, most clinicians suggest trying up to a year before procedures. At 35+, a six-month window is enough to start testing and discuss options. These cutoffs reflect large bodies of guidance.

Supplements: What Helps, What Doesn’t

Stick to folic acid 400 mcg daily unless your clinician sets a higher dose for a specific reason. A basic prenatal that includes iodine and iron (if you tend to run low) is fine. Be wary of blends that promise fast results. If male-factor issues show on testing, some antioxidant regimens may be suggested, but decisions should follow a semen analysis rather than guesswork.

Medication And Safety Checks

Some prescriptions and over-the-counter drugs can affect ovulation, sperm, or implantation. Do not stop needed medicines on your own; book the prescriber to swap or adjust if required. Bring a full list of everything you take, including herbals and high-dose supplements.

When Words Like “Infertility” Enter The Chat

The term is a medical label that unlocks testing and coverage. Leading groups define it by time trying—12 months if under 35, 6 months at 35+, with earlier checks when clear risk factors exist. The definition has also broadened so single people and LGBTQ+ patients can access care when they need medical help to conceive.

How To Prepare For A Clinic Visit

• Bring cycle dates for the last 6–12 months and any app charts.
• List meds, supplements, and prior surgeries or infections.
• Ask for a semen analysis order on day one so you don’t lose time.
• Clarify goals and timelines that fit your age and health.

What Treatments Might Come Next

Plans depend on findings. If ovulation is the barrier, first-line pills can induce a release. If sperm are borderline, insemination may help. If tubes are blocked or if age and egg reserve push the timeline, IVF can move faster. Each option has trade-offs, costs, and success rates that vary by age and diagnosis. A clinician will map choices to your results and goals.

Fast Answers To The Big Three Questions

How Long Do Most Couples Take?

Many conceive within a year with steady sex and good timing. A national survey puts infertility rates in the single digits to low teens, which shows how many still get pregnant with time.

Should You Keep Trying While Testing Starts?

Yes. Keep the timing habits going while you complete labs and imaging. Testing doesn’t block conception; it shortens the path to a plan if needed.

What If You’re Feeling Stuck?

Name your next appointment, set two simple habits to keep (timed sex and folic acid), and give yourself a clear window for re-checks. Small steps cut the spin.

Your Next Step From Here

If you’re under 35 and cycles are regular, keep working the timing steps for up to 12 months total while you layer in the lifestyle levers. If you’re 35 or older, book the first evaluation now. If you’re 40 or older, don’t wait. The right time to start testing is the moment the calendar says you’ve reached the age-based window, or if symptoms suggest a hidden blocker. That’s the most direct path to answers and, often, to pregnancy.

You came looking for clear steps after trying to get pregnant for 6 months—what to do next is now on a single page: dial in timing, set an age-based deadline, and start simple checks without delay when they’re due. With that plan, you avoid lost time and move toward the result you want.