Appropriate management of subfertility

Reproductive patterns have evolved dramatically in many developed countries over the last two decades and parenthood is now often planned. Most pregnancies occur during the first 6 months of unprotected intercourse. Thereafter subfertility is assumed, although life-birth rates in untreated subfertile couples are nearly 55% in 36 months. Couples wit h a reasonably good prognosis can use conventional (natural) methods of fertility awareness during this period because treatment does not improve conception rates and early intervention for presumed infertility may represent overtreatment.