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Trying to conceive but nothing’s happening, even though your tests are all ‘normal’?
You’re not alone. Around 1 in 7 couples in the UK experience fertility problems. And for many, the most frustrating part in not getting pregnant is being told that everything looks fine. You’ve had your bloods done. Maybe an ultrasound. Your partner’s semen analysis was okay too. So why aren’t you pregnant yet?
The truth is: normal doesn’t always mean optimal. And sometimes, the standard tests just aren’t looking deep enough.
Let’s explore why you might still be struggling, and what can actually help you move forward.
The Limitations of Standard Fertility Tests
Most women start their fertility journey with their GP. This often includes basic blood tests and perhaps a referral for an ultrasound scan. While this is a good starting point (if you even get there at all!), these tests can miss important pieces of the puzzle.
For example:
- Day 21 progesterone is often used to check if you’ve ovulated, but only works if you have a textbook 28-day cycle and ovulate on day 14. If your cycle is longer or more variable, this test can be meaningless if it’s taken on the wrong day.
- Thyroid function, ferritin and vitamin D tests are often described as “normal”, but there is a different threshold for fertility.
- Ultrasound scans may pick up large cysts or fibroids but won’t always show whether your endometrial lining is healthy enough for implantation and don’t often tell you your ovarian reserve.
Put simply: these tests are designed to screen for major red flags, not to optimise your chances of conception.
Commonly Missed Causes of Subfertility
You might be told your tests are ‘fine’, but there are several underlying issues that explain why you are not getting pregnant:
PCOS and Irregular Ovulation
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) can show up in subtle ways. You might not have classic symptoms, but irregular or poor-quality ovulation can still be present and not detected by basic scans or hormone panels.
Thyroid Imbalance
Thyroid issues — even ‘subclinical’ ones — can affect ovulation, egg quality, and implantation. Ideally, your TSH should be below 2.5 if you’re trying to conceive, even if the lab says your result is ‘normal’.
High Stress or Cortisol Levels
Chronic stress affects your hormones, particularly the delicate balance between oestrogen, progesterone, and cortisol. It can delay ovulation or stop it altogether. Yet stress is almost never assessed in routine fertility checks, and unfortunately may not be reflected in your blood tests either.
Weight and Metabolic Health
Being underweight or overweight can both reduce fertility. But it’s not just about the number on the scale — metabolic health, insulin resistance, and inflammation can all impact ovulation and egg quality, even in women with a ‘normal’ BMI.
Male Factor Issues
Many people assume fertility is mostly a female issue, but male factors contribute to up to 50% of cases. A basic semen analysis might say “normal” — but more advanced testing could show problems with sperm DNA fragmentation or morphology.
So… Could Something Be Holding You Back?
If you’re here reading this, chances are you’re already wondering if something’s being missed. That’s exactly why we created the Fertility checklist — a simple, free tool to help you spot potential gaps in your current fertility picture.
Whether it’s a hormone imbalance, a lifestyle factor, or a missing test result, this checklist helps you join the dots and feel more in control of your next steps.
👉 [Take the free checklist now] and take the first step to uncovering what’s really going on.
What You Can Do Next
If you feel like you’re not being heard, or you’re tired of waiting for answers — you don’t have to go through it alone. At The Female Health Doctor, we offer personalised Fertility MOTs.
We offer:
- Hormone panels timed to your cycle and ovarian reserve checks
- Thyroid and nutritional assessments
- Pelvic ultrasound scans
- Vaginal swabs and infection screening
- One-to-one doctor-led consultations that focus on you, not a tick box exercise
Together, we can map out a clear, evidence-based plan to optimise your fertility and give you back a sense of direction.
👉 [Book your Fertility MOT] or join our supportive community to connect with others on a similar journey.
Final Thoughts
Not being pregnant yet doesn’t mean it’s not going to happen. It just means it’s time to look deeper.
You deserve more than “everything looks fine”. You deserve real answers, and a team that’s committed to helping you find them.
Take your free checklist today, or get in touch on 01908 103 223 to start your personalised fertility journey.
Until next time,
Dr Nikki
