Fertility
Struggling to conceive is far more common than the silence around it suggests — and taking the first step to understand why is often less daunting than people fear. At Eden Women’s Health, Dr Sheri Lim guides you through fertility assessment with clarity, without rushing you toward interventions you may not need.
Understanding Fertility Challenges
Infertility is generally defined as not conceiving after 12 months of regular, unprotected intercourse — or after 6 months if you are over 35, since time matters more as egg quantity and quality naturally decline with age.
It is a genuinely shared experience: roughly 40% of cases involve female factors, 40% male factors, and the remaining 20% are combined or unexplained.
Common contributing factors include:
Ovulation problems
Often linked to conditions like PCOS.
Structural issues
Such as blocked fallopian tubes, fibroids, or endometriosis.
Age-related decline
In egg quantity and quality, particularly after 35.
Male factors
Affecting roughly as many cases as female factors — which is why fertility assessment is often most useful as a couple, not a solo journey.
It is worth knowing: of every ten patients who seek help for fertility concerns, only two or three typically go on to need IVF. Many fertility issues are identified and addressed with far simpler interventions first.
How Eden Women's Health Can Help
A thorough initial consultation
Reviewing your cycle history, medical background, and how long you have been trying to conceive, in a setting where sensitive questions are asked with care, not awkwardness.
Hormone and ovarian reserve testing
Hormone blood tests and Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) testing to assess your egg reserve.
Pelvic ultrasound assessment
To check for structural factors such as fibroids, cysts, or signs of endometriosis.
Guidance on next steps
Including referral for further investigations like a hysterosalpingogram (HSG, to check the fallopian tubes) or partner semen analysis, and honest advice on when — and whether — assisted reproduction may be worth considering.
Egg freezing guidance
Women in Singapore aged 21 to under 38 have had the option to freeze their eggs for non-medical reasons — we’re happy to discuss whether this is something worth exploring for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I see a doctor about fertility concerns?
After 12 months of trying if you’re under 35, or after 6 months if you are 35 or older. If you have a known condition like PCOS or endometriosis, or irregular cycles, it is worth coming in sooner.
Does needing a fertility assessment mean I will need IVF?
Not necessarily — in fact, most patients do not. Many fertility concerns are resolved with simpler treatments, such as ovulation induction, once the underlying cause is identified.
Should my partner be tested too?
Yes, ideally. Since male factors contribute to around 40% of infertility cases, a semen analysis is usually a standard, early part of a thorough fertility workup.
What is AMH testing, and why does it matter?
AMH (Anti-Müllerian Hormone) is a blood test that gives an indication of your ovarian reserve — roughly how many eggs you have remaining. It helps guide the timeline and approach to your fertility planning.
I am not ready to conceive yet, but I am worried about my fertility later. What can I do?
This is exactly what a proactive fertility assessment, and options like egg freezing, are for. Understanding your reproductive health now — rather than waiting until you are actively trying — gives you far more options.
Schedule An Appointment
Whether you are just starting to wonder about your fertility or have been trying to conceive for a while, Eden Women’s Health is here to guide you through it, one honest conversation at a time.