Infertility: The 12 and 6 Month Rule, and Label Uses
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Infertility

Also called subfertility, trouble getting pregnant, male infertility · Reviewed

Definition: Infertility describes a couple who cannot get pregnant after 1 year of regular sex without birth control, or after 6 months if the woman is over 35, according to NICHD. Subfertility is a related word for when pregnancy is likely without treatment but takes longer than usual.

Medicines approved to treat it

  • Clomid treats ovulation problems in women who want to become pregnant, after other causes are ruled out. Its label says it is not shown to work for male infertility.
  • FSH products such as Gonal-f and Menopur, hCG (Pregnyl, Novarel, Ovidrel) and GnRH antagonists (ganirelix, Cetrotide) are used for ovulation induction and IVF.
  • Menopur's label calls for checking the male partner's fertility before treatment.

Labels that list it as a risk

Some labels name infertility as a possible effect. The Propecia and Proscar (finasteride) labels list male infertility or poor semen quality among reports after approval. The Xyosted label says large doses of testosterone can suppress sperm production through feedback on the pituitary, lowering the LH and FSH signals the testes need. That is why fertility comes up on TRT pages so often.

Why it matters for your log

Cycle dates, test results and every medicine taken, including supplements, are what a fertility clinic asks for first. A log that already has them saves time at the first visit. For a man on testosterone, the start date and the products used matter too, because the labels tie lower sperm production to large doses and long use.

Read more on Dose Track: Female fertility · Fertility on TRT · Clomid side effects · Twins on fertility medicines

General education drawn from labels and published studies, not personal medical advice. Your prescriber, pharmacist and the label that came with your product are the final word.
Ovulation inductionOvulation induction is treatment that aims to make the ovaries release an egg in a woman who does not… In vitro fertilization (IVF)In vitro fertilization (IVF) joins a woman's egg and a man's sperm in a laboratory dish. "In vitro" means… GonadotropinA gonadotropin is a hormone that acts on the ovaries or testes. The NCI says the pituitary gland makes… FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone)FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) is a hormone made by the pituitary gland. In men, MedlinePlus says FSH… LH (luteinizing hormone)LH (luteinizing hormone) is a hormone made by the pituitary gland at the base of the brain. In men,…

Frequently asked questions

How long of trying counts as infertility?+
NICHD says 1 year of regular sex without birth control, or 6 months if the woman is over 35.
Can a medicine cause infertility?+
Some labels report it. Finasteride labels list male infertility or poor semen quality after approval, and testosterone can lower sperm production.

Sources

  1. NICHD (NIH): About infertility and fertility
  2. NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms: infertility
  3. Clomid (clomiphene citrate) US prescribing information, DailyMed
  4. Menopur (menotropins) US prescribing information, DailyMed
  5. Gonal-f RFF Redi-ject (follitropin alfa) US prescribing information, DailyMed
  6. Propecia (finasteride 1 mg) US prescribing information, DailyMed
  7. Proscar (finasteride 5 mg) US prescribing information, DailyMed

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