Fertility basics
Canadian practice defines infertility as no pregnancy after 12 months of regular unprotected intercourse, shortened to six months when the person trying to conceive is 35 or older, and earlier still where there is a known cause such as absent periods, previous pelvic surgery or a very abnormal semen analysis. It is a description of a situation rather than a permanent verdict. Many people investigated for infertility go on to conceive, with or without treatment.
Also known as: cannot get pregnant, trouble conceiving, sterility
Related Canada guides
Sources
- Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC) patient information
- Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society (CFAS)
Last reviewed: September 9, 2026. Written by the Antega Editorial Team. General information only — always follow the advice of your own clinic, doctor or pharmacist.