Many couples will experience it in their child-bearing years, but it's a topic not openly talked about.
Winmalee actor Mark Williamson plays Jake, the infertile husband of Karen, in the multi-media theatre production Burning Angel, showing next month in Parramatta.
The couple undergo IVF, in their quest to have a baby. In preparation for the role, Williamson undertook his own research to get a better understanding of the procedure.
"It's not an easy process, it's a gruelling process and there's no guarantee [of a baby]," he said.
The play takes a look at modern day relationships between husband and wife and friends, and the added layer of complexity when Jake's best friend, Jim, offers to provide sperm so the couple can make a baby. The play asks the observer: "How far would you go to help your friends?"
Other themes in the production written by Sydney writer and actor Sage Godrei, include marriage and whether it's necessary today, or whether a de facto relationship equates to the same thing.
"It's a funny play ... and looks at how couples deal with each other and how friends deal with each other," Williamson said.
This is a different role for Williamson, 32, who has been acting for 14 years. He's often cast as the "bad guy". "I must just have that look about me," he said with a laugh.
One of his most interesting theatre experiences was in December, performing the immersive theatre piece The Age Of Entitlement with Mongrel Mouth Productions.
This type of theatre involves a lot of audience participation, so the actors have a rough script to stick to but have to think quickly on their feet.
"You're constantly performing in a 90-minute show and it's a different show every night. There are just the main points to keep the story flowing," Williamson said.
Burning Angel is part of the inaugural Anywhere Theatre Festival at Parramatta and is showing at the pop-up theatre venue Shh Centre, 4 Hybrid Arts, 9 Albert Street, North Parramatta , May 8-10 and May 13-14. The seating arrangements are a little unusual, with a choice of chairs, lounges or beds. Tickets available at http://anywherefest.com/buy-tickets/burning-angel/.