Fertility New Zealand walks alongside all people facing fertility challenges.

When to seek help

For couples:

  • When you have been trying to conceive for longer than 12 months.  You can see your GP first who may be able to refer you for a funded consultation or you can book a private appointment directly with a fertility specialist.  The first step is likely to include blood tests to check ovulation and a semen analysis, which your GP can conduct.
  • If the woman is over 35 years, see your doctor after trying to conceive for 9 months
  • If the woman is over 40 years, see your doctor after trying to conceive for 6 months

Women – seek help straight away for any of the following:

  • irregular cycles (short or long)
  • getting periods less than 10 days after ovulation occurs
  • severe pain with menstruation or intermittent pain throughout the cycle
  • regular breakthrough bleeding throughout cycle
  • any unusual discharge (yellow/green, lumpy white, smelly)
  • previous sexually transmitted infections, such as Chlamydia
  • a history of early menopause (before age 50) in the family

Men – seek help straight away for any of the following:

  • previous genital surgery, including for an undescended testicle
  • previous inguinal hernia repair
  • previous significant infections such as Chlamydia or Mumps Orchitis

Your GP can organise further testing and may be able to refer you for a funded consultation with a fertility specialist. 

Funding

Requirements for publicly funded treatment differ slightly by District Health Board, but these criteria include:

  • The couple have been trying to conceive for at least twelve months
  • If there is no diagnosed reason for infertility (‘unexplained infertility’), the couple must have been trying to conceive for four years
  • Woman’s age 39 or less at time of consultation
  • Woman’s BMI 32 or less
  • Woman must be a non-smoker (at least three months prior to application)
  • NZ citizenship, residency or visa of at least two years’ in duration (for both partners)

Here to help

Fertility NZ offers free, impartial, professional information and guidance.  If you're unsure of your next steps, call us on 0800 333 306 or email support@fertilitynz.org.nz.