If you're trying to conceive, one of the first things you want to know is: how long is this going to take? It's a completely natural question, and the honest answer is that there's no single number that applies to everyone.

According to the NHS, most couples who have regular sex and don't use contraception will conceive within a year. ¹ There's a wide range of what's normal within that window. Knowing what shapes your timeline can make the uncertainty feel more manageable.

Factors that affect how long it takes to conceive

Age

Age is one of the most significant factors in how long it takes. Women are most fertile in their 20s. Fertility begins to decline gradually in the 30s, and more noticeably after 35. This is because both the number and quality of eggs diminish over time. Male fertility also declines with age, though the effect is less clear-cut.¹

Ovulation problems

If you're not ovulating regularly — or at all — conception becomes much more difficult. The most common causes of ovulation problems include polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS, formerly known as PCOS), thyroid disorders, and premature ovarian failure.

PMOS is particularly common, affecting around 1 in 10 women in the UK. It disrupts the hormonal signals that trigger ovulation, which can make cycles irregular or unpredictable. ⁵

Sperm health:

Poor sperm quality, such as having a low count, reduced motility, or abnormal shape, is commonly involved in cases where couples are having difficulty conceiving. If sperm aren't reaching or fertilising the egg efficiently, it naturally extends how long conception takes. 

Other reproductive health factors:

Conditions like endometriosis, blocked fallopian tubes, fibroids, or pelvic inflammatory disease can also interfere with conception. Sometimes they cause no noticeable symptoms beforehand.

Lifestyle:

Lifestyle factors matter more than many people realise. Both partners maintaining a healthy weight, stopping smoking, and avoiding alcohol can all support fertility.

What is the average time to get pregnant?

There's no universal average, because so many things feed into it. Your age, general health, reproductive health, and how often you have sex all play a role. What we do know is that for healthy couples having regular sex, most will conceive within 12 months. Some will get there in the first few cycles. For others, it takes closer to a year. Both are normal.

Regular sex means having sex every 2 to 3 days throughout the month — not just around the time you think you might be ovulating.1 If tracking your cycle or timing sex is adding stress rather than helping, it's worth stepping back from it. Stress doesn't help conception, and there's no need to turn every cycle into a project.

How long can it take to get pregnant with different conditions?

Some conditions don't just make conception harder — they also make the timeline harder to predict. Here are a few of the most common ones.

PMOS (formerly PCOS)

Poly-Cystic Ovary Syndrome was renamed Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS) in 2026, following a global consensus among clinicians, researchers, and patient groups, to better reflect its hormonal and metabolic features rather than focusing only on the ovaries.⁸ PMOS affects around 1 in 10 women in the UK and is one of the most frequent reasons cycles become irregular.² The condition disrupts ovulation, sometimes stopping it altogether. That can make your fertile window harder to identify, with fewer chances to conceive each year.

 
However, many women with PMOS do conceive naturally, particularly when they incorporate lifestyle changes. For those who need more support, treatment options in the UK include medication to stimulate ovulation and, in more complex cases, surgical options or IVF.

Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to the womb lining grows outside the womb, often around the ovaries and fallopian tubes. This can damage these structures and make it harder for an egg to be fertilised or implanted successfully. Diagnosis can take time because symptoms overlap with other conditions. Some women don't realise they have it until they start trying to conceive. Treatment options range from pain management through to surgery, depending on severity.

Low sperm count

Fertility isn't only a female factor. Poor sperm quality — including low count, reduced motility, or abnormal shape — is involved in around half of cases where couples are having difficulty conceiving. If sperm aren't reaching or fertilising the egg efficiently, it naturally extends how long conception takes. A GP can refer for semen analysis if this is a concern.

Unexplained infertility

For around 1 in 4 couples in the UK, no specific cause is identified even after investigation; this is known as unexplained infertility. It can be frustrating to have no clear answer, but it doesn't mean conception is impossible. NICE recommends that women with unexplained infertility who haven't conceived after 2 years of regular unprotected sex be offered IVF. ⁴

Natural ways to support conception for UK couples 

There's no shortcut to conception, but there are things both you and your partner can do that genuinely matter.

Have sex regularly

Having sex every 2 to 3 days throughout the month keeps sperm available in the reproductive tract without requiring you to track every cycle closely. You don't need to time things perfectly — consistency matters more.¹

Try to conceive around ovulation

If you do want to be more deliberate about timing, ovulation typically occurs around 10 to 16 days before your next period. Ovulation predictor kits are widely available in UK pharmacies and supermarkets, and can help pinpoint your most fertile days. If your cycles are irregular, this can be particularly useful. ²

Maintain a healthy body weight

Being significantly underweight or overweight can disrupt the hormonal balance that regulates ovulation. This applies to both partners: weight affects sperm quality in men and ovulation in women. Your GP can refer you to free weight management support through the NHS if needed.

Stop smoking

Smoking affects egg quality, sperm quality, and hormone levels. If you or your partner smoke, stopping is one of the most meaningful changes you can make. Free support is available through the NHS Stop Smoking Service, which you can access via your GP or local pharmacy.

Cut out alcohol

There is no established safe amount of alcohol during conception attempts. Alcohol can affect hormone levels and sperm quality, so most guidance for couples trying to conceive points toward avoiding it altogether.

Take folic acid

400 micrograms of folic acid daily is the standard recommendation for anyone trying to conceive in the UK, and should continue through the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. You can pick it up over the counter at any pharmacy or supermarket — no prescription needed.3

How twoplus Fertility fits into your conception journey

For couples who are actively trying to conceive, the mechanics of how sperm reaches the egg matter. 

Trying to conceive can quickly start to feel like a chore. Timed sex, misaligned schedules, and even performance pressure often add up. The twoplus Applicator Extra takes that pressure off, so every fertile window becomes an opportunity again, not an obligation.

The twoplus Applicator Extra is a self-assisted artificial insemination kit that can be used from the comfort of your home. In just 3 simple steps, the Applicator Extra helps deposit sperm close to the cervix, giving nature a helping hand.

• No medical help or clinic visit needed

• Deposits semen close to the cervix, giving sperm a more direct path

• Designed for comfort with soft tip made of 100% medical grade silicone 

• Make your fertile window count

• Affordable alternative to try now: 3 steps. 15 minutes

Sources

1. NHS. How long does it usually take to get pregnant? https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/trying-for-a-baby/how-long-it-takes-to-get-pregnant/ 

2. NHS. Periods and fertility in the menstrual cycle. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/periods/fertility-in-the-menstrual-cycle/ 

3. NHS. Trying to get pregnant. https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/trying-for-a-baby/trying-to-get-pregnant/ 

4. NHS. Causes of infertility. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/infertility/causes/ 

5. NHS. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/polycystic-ovary-syndrome-pcos/ 

6. NHS. Signs and symptoms of pregnancy. https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/trying-for-a-baby/signs-and-symptoms-of-pregnancy/ 

7. NHS. Endometriosis. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/endometriosis/ 

8. Teede HJ et al. Polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome, the new name for polycystic ovary syndrome: a multistep global consensus process. The Lancet. Published May 12, 2026. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(26)00717-8/fulltext