Looking into the problem

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Most GPs are happy to talk through any difficulties that you may have concerning fertility. It is best for both partners to see the GP together. It is quite usual for GPs to do the following:

Ask how long you have been trying to get pregnant and if you have been pregnant before (this includes asking the male partner if any previous partner of his has been pregnant before).
Go over your general health and discuss any past illnesses and infections.
Ask about any medication or street drugs that you may be taking.
Ask if you smoke and how much alcohol you drink. Your GP may also discuss your weight.
Ask about your occupation.
Ask if either partner is feeling stressed at present.
Talk about sex and be sure there are no sexual problems. Sometimes people ask their doctor about difficulties with fertility when the real problem is difficulty with sex.
Examine both partners. This can include weighing both partners and also a pelvic examination for a woman and an examination of the genitalia (penis and scrotum) for a man.

Do we need any tests?
Your GP may suggest a few tests. For example:

A semen analysis (sperm test) of the male partner.
A blood test to check that ovulation occurs in the female partner. This measures the hormone progesterone which is high just after ovulation. The blood sample is taken on the 21st day of a regular 28 day cycle (counting day one as the first day of bleeding).
A test for chlamydia in both partners. This can be a swab test taken from the neck of the womb (the cervix) in the woman, or taken from the urethra (the tube inside the penis) in the man. Sometimes the chlamydia test can be done on a urine sample.
They may also suggest some other tests depending on any other symptoms that you may have, whether the female partner has regular periods or not etc. For example, your GP may suggest a blood test to check a woman's thyroid gland or some extra hormone tests if the woman has irregular periods.

Tests are generally not suggested until you have been trying to conceive for 12 months. If the female partner is under the age of 35, both partners are otherwise healthy and your GP has not found any problems in the examination or tests that they have carried out, referral to a specialist is not usually suggested until you have been trying to conceive for 18 months. Women over the age of 35, or in couples who have a problem detected by their GP in their medical history, or through testing or examination, may be referred to a specialist earlier.