Infertility is defined by medical texts as an inability to conceive after one year of unprotected sex, if you are younger than 35, or 6 months, if you're over 35. Textbook defintions turn a blind-eye, though, to individual medical histories which may include endometriosis, pelvic infections, or undescended testicles. They also fail to consider single women or same sex couples who yearn to build families. The key may be timely, individual evaluation by a fertility specialist.

The basic fertility workup examines the health of the uterus and fallopian tubes, ovulation, egg quality, and the quantity and motility of sperm.
During an ideal menstrual cycle, an egg is produced by an ovary and begins a two-week maturation which results in the egg's release to the uterus and a spike in production of progesterone, which works to thicken the uterine lining to create a healthy environment for implantation of an embryo.

Uneven hormone levels or abnormalities in the process of producing or releasing an egg may be the underlying causes of infertility.
Semen analysis looks at four distinct characteristics of a single ejaculate: Volume, Count of sperm, Motility of the sperm, and Morphology or the quantity of sperm which are normal in size and shape.

If the result is consistently abnormal, a fertility specialist may recommend a urological and/or hormonal evaluation.