When To Get Help
To reiterate, its always a good idea to see a fertility specialist if you have been TTC for more than one year with no success. You can start by scheduling an appointment with your PCP or OB/GYN, who can refer you to a fertility specialist they trust. A fertility specialist will talk to you and your partner about your health and potentially run more tests to evaluate your fertility and help pinpoint why you have not been able to conceive.
What Is The Best Time Of Month To Get Pregnant
For women trying to conceive, the best time of the month to get pregnant is typically a little bit before or during ovulation. However, not all women ovulate at the same time every month. For example, a woman with a 30-day cycle would ovulate on the 16th day, while another woman whose cycle is 40 days long would ovulate on the 26th day.
For this reason, its important to track your fertility signs to determine when you are most fertile.
As well as that, there are ovulation tests you can buy to help you pinpoint your most fertile days.
When To Call A Doctor
See a healthcare provider about your fertility if
- You’re 35 years or older and have been trying for at least six months
- You’re younger than 35 and have been trying for at least one year
If either of these situations matches your experience, seek medical advice, even if you have no symptoms of a fertility problem.
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Is There Anything I Can Do To Improve My Chances Of Getting Pregnant
There are a number of things you can do to improve your chances of getting pregnant. These include:
- Taking a prenatal vitamin
- Limiting caffeine and alcohol intake
- Quitting smoking
- Avoiding processed foods
- Seeing a fertility specialist if youre having trouble getting pregnant
If youre concerned about your fertility, then talk to your doctor about your options. There are many treatments available that can help increase your chances of getting pregnant.
When Does Your Body Stop Producing Sperm
When does male fertility start to decline? Like female fertility, male fertility declines throughout adulthood, but experts suggest that a man’s age doesn’t have a significant effect on his fertility until he’s in his 40s, because there’s only about a 12% decrease in sperm motility/morphology per year.
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What Is Unexplained Infertility
Unexplained fertility is when no reason has been found for a persons fertility problems. In this case you should not be offered any fertility drugs taken by mouth as this does not improve the chances of conceiving naturally. Unexplained fertility is more likely if you are over 36 than if you are under.
If you have been trying to conceive naturally for more than two years you may be offered IVF.
Diet Exercise And Pcos
Eating a healthy diet is important for people with PCOS. This is partially due to the higher risk of becoming overweight, and partially due to their bodies trouble with insulin regulation. Is there any one diet that is best for PCOS? Thats a matter of debate.
Some studies have claimed that a low-carb diet is the best one for PCOS, but other studies have not found a low-carb advantage. The most important thing is to make sure your diet is rich in nutrient-rich foods and adequate protein and low on high-sugar foods. Avoiding junk food and processed foods is your best bet.
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You’re Not At A Healthy Weight
Being either overweight or underweight can affect your ability to conceive, because it can change your ovulation patterns. PCOS is commonly associated with obesity because it affects the bodys ability to regulate insulin. It also contributes to irregular ovulation. Low body weight can lead to irregularity in your menstrual cycles too.
Its important to work towards a healthy weight, Dr. Uhler says. For people who are obese or overweight, losing as little as 5 to 10 percent of their weight can make a big difference in their ability to get pregnant, she adds.
Are Your Cycles Truly Irregular
An irregular period is defined as a menstrual cycle that is either shorter than 21 days or longer than 36 days. Your cycle may also be considered irregular if it varies significantly from month to month. For example, if one month your cycle is 23 days, and another it’s 35, your cycles would be considered irregular.
Research has found that variations in cycle length are associated more strongly with infertility than just having a shorter or longer regular cycle. In other words, if your cycles tend to be slightly longer than the normal range, but they are consistently that length, you may be less likely to experience fertility problems than someone whose cycles vary significantly but the length falls within the norm.
If your cycles are off by a day or two from month to month, you dont need to worry. Its when the variations are longerfive or more daysthat you may face fertility difficulties.
An occasional irregular cycle is also normal. Stress or illness can delay ovulation or menstruation, causing your cycle to be longer, and sometimes shorter, than usual. If you have just one or two of these “off” periods a year, you don’t need to worry. However, if your cycles are frequently irregularor you go quite a long time between menstrual cyclesyou should see your doctor for an evaluation.
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Having A Bmi That’s Too High
The link between being overweight and problems getting pregnant has been long known, but research from the National Institutes of Health showed that a male’s weight matters as much as a female’s. The February 2017 study published in Human Reproduction found it may take up to 59% longer to get pregnant for couples where both partners have obesity compared to those within healthy weight ranges.
Additionally, just as excess body fat can impact fertility, so can not having enough of it. Having a BMI of 18.5 or less can lead to a halt in estrogen production, causing unpredictable menstrual cycles, according to the Office on Women’s Health . This shift in menstrual cycles can also lead to you not getting a period, which means you’re not ovulatingan important part of being able to get pregnant.
Days Before And After Ovulation
Ovulation usually occurs between days 11 and 21 of your cycle . The first day of your period signifies the beginning of your next cycle. When youre ovulating, an egg is released from your ovaries and moves down the uterine tube towards your uterus.
An egg lives 12-24 hours following ovulation, but sperm can live in the female reproductive system for up to five days after sex. Therefore, having sex from five days before or one day after ovulation can result in pregnancy.
A 2019 study found that women who have unprotected sex one day before ovulation had the highest probability of getting pregnant .
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Stress Might Be Affecting Your Fertility
Yes, stress can affect a womans ability to get pregnant. This is because stress can cause changes in hormone levels, which can impact ovulation and fertility.
If youre experiencing stress due to having regular periods but not getting pregnant, then its important to find ways to manage your stress. This may include relaxation techniques, exercise, or therapy. Talk to our specialists about what may work best for you.
Too Much Or Too Little Sex
Sex is probably the most basic human need for pleasure and reproduction. And, people can be in the extremes when it comes to this .
Having too much sex: Some people believe that having more sex could lead to conception. But this may not always be true. Though frequent sex will not decrease the vigor of a mans sperm, it can cause potential health problems such as fatigue, dizziness, weak knees, and frequent urination. If you indulge in a lot of sex only to have babies, it could lead to BURNOUT . In this case, when the actual fertile window is open, either partner may not be interested in sex. And, as a couple you lose an opportunity to conceive.
Having too little sex: You may be cutting down on intercourse to save the sperm or you only have sex during ovulation. But staying without sex for many days may affect your conception. You could miss your fertile phase when sex is limited as you may not always be correct about your ovulation.
What next?
Try to have sex frequently and keep a close watch on your ovulation dates. If you have irregular periods or problems tracking your fertile window, use an ovulation kit. If the result shows that ovulation is due in one or two days, have sex during that time. Keep in mind not to have sex just for having a baby, because then you cant enjoy the process.
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Why Am I Not Getting Pregnant 8 Possible Reasons
Disclaimer: Please note that this blog is for educational purposes only, it includes general information on health-related topics. Womens Healthcare of Boca Raton is giving medical advice to Patients Only. Follow this link to request an appointment with Dr. Ellman.
Its a common question that many couples ask themselves at some point: why am I not getting pregnant? There are many possible reasons for infertility, and it can be difficult to determine the cause. This article will explore some of the most common reasons women cant get pregnant. Read on to learn more.
What Age Is It Too Late To Have A Baby
If you’ve waited until a bit later in life to try to conceive, you may wonder if you’re too old to have a baby. A pregnancy after age 35 automatically puts you in the advanced maternal age category. But try your best to not let that label intimidate you successful pregnancy after 35 is still common!
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What Medicines Are Used To Treat Infertility In Women
Some common medicines used to treat infertility in women include:
- Clomiphene citrate : This medicine causes ovulation by acting on the pituitary gland. It is often used in women who have polycystic ovary syndrome or other problems with ovulation. This medicine is taken by mouth.
- Human menopausal gonadotropin or hMG : This medicine is often used for women who don’t ovulate due to problems with their pituitary gland. hMG acts directly on the ovaries to stimulate ovulation. It is an injected medicine.
- follicle-stimulating hormone or FSH : FSH works much like hMG. It causes the ovaries to begin the process of ovulation. These medicines are usually injected.
- Gonadotropin-releasing hormone analog: These medicines are often used for women who don’t ovulate regularly each month. Women who ovulate before the egg is ready can also use these medicines. Gn-RH analogs act on the pituitary gland to change when the body ovulates. These medicines are usually injected or given with a nasal spray.
- Metformin : Doctors use this medicine for women who have insulin resistance and/or PCOS. This drug helps lower the high levels of male hormones in women with these conditions. This helps the body to ovulate. Sometimes clomiphene citrate or FSH is combined with metformin. This medicine is usually taken by mouth.
- Bromocriptine : This medicine is used for women with ovulation problems due to high levels of prolactin. Prolactin is a hormone that causes milk production.
How Is Female Infertility Treated
Once your healthcare provider has diagnosed female infertility and pinpointed the cause, there are a variety of treatment options. The cause of the infertility guides the type of treatment. For example, structural problems may be treated through surgery, while hormonal medications can be used for other issues .
Many patients will require artificial insemination or in vitro fertilization .
Adoption and gestational surrogacy may also be options for women with infertility who wish to start a family.
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Why Cant I Get Pregnant Here Are 8 Reasons Why It Might Not Be Happening
For those actively trying to conceive, once youve made the choice to get pregnant, every negative test result can lead to disappointment. Everyday activities, like a stroll through your neighbourhood, can bring reminders of pregnant bellies and seemingly happy smiling families. The same goes for whenever you tune in to your favourite streaming program or social media accounts Suddenly, there are happy pregnant people everywhere but you. Frustrating to deal with for sure but dont worry just yet you are not alone.
Allow me to break down some possible reasons why you might be having trouble conceiving. The key to reviewing this list is for you to remember that more than one of these possibilities can be going on in your body, at the same time :
1. Endometriosis This condition affects between 10% and up to 20% of persons born with ovaries and often manifests as chronic pelvic pain with periods or during intercourse. Moreover, endometriosis can be overlooked or misdiagnosed in many while causing issues with diminished ovarian reserve and fallopian tube scarring. This diagnosis is only formally made via surgery but a skilled gynaecologist or fertility specialist can often help you figure out if you fall into this category.
However, many medical conditions, environmental factors and simply getting older, can have a direct impact on someones ability to make healthy sperm.
All the best!
Top 10 Reasons Not To Get Pregnant
The list seems endless, but Ive narrowed it down to the top 10 reasons why any woman should not get pregnant. They are :
1. Financial- Babies are expensive. Toddlers are expensive. Teenagers are expensive. College graduates are expensive. And thats only half the lifetime of your child.
2. Situation- If your situation consists of you being a single parent, too young or living with a relative, its probably a good idea not to get pregnant at the moment.
3. Emotions- Hormone levels go crazy during pregnancy. If youre already unstable you might want to rethink getting pregnant, it wont make the rollercoaster less bumpy.
4. Weight Gain- Many women are already concerned with the way they look, even the skinny ones think they could lose a few pounds here and there. Most women gain 10-20 lbs during pregnancy, but struggle to take it off once the baby is born.
5. Cankles- Does this really need anymore explaining?
6. Morning Sickness- Morning sickness is no fun, and even though its only supposed to last through the first trimester, thats 1/3 of the entire pregnancy spent feeling nausea.
7. The NO List- You know what Im talking about No caffeine, No alcohol, No smoking, No drugs , No seafood, No rollercoasters , No activities, No fun!
8. Genetics- Come on, think back to your teenage years, do you really want to hear the laughs, chuckles and I-told-you-sos from your parents? Do you really want to pass on some of the genes your baby-making partner contains?
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It’s Possible To Get Pregnant At Any Time Of The Month
To get pregnant, you need to have sex on the days leading up to and around when you ovulate. The day prior to ovulation, and the day of ovulation itself, being your . Once the egg has gone you cannot get pregnant until after your next has started. Methods that tell you after you have ovulated are of no help if you are
You Have An Underlying Medical Condition
You might have other health issues that are making it difficult to get pregnant. There are a wide variety of autoimmune diseases and some, such as lupus, may impact fertility by interrupting menstrual cycles and ovulation, Dr. Uhler says. A past STI diagnosis, like gonorrhea or chlamydia, could result in pelvic inflammatory disease, another potential cause of blocked fallopian tubes, she adds.
Different prescription medications, like those for anxiety and depression, could also have an effect on fertility because they do affect your hormonesbut talk with your doctor before stopping taking any prescription drugs.
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Is There A Link Between Pms And Depression Or Anxiety
Some may mistake PMS or PMDD moodiness for underlying depression or anxiety, conditions which often worsen in the days leading up to ones period. If your anxious or depressive symptoms do not completely resolve when your period begins, you may actually have a depression or anxiety disorder. Charting your cycle can help you keep better track of when your anxious or depressive symptoms begin and end, and how they correlate with changes in your cycle.
Curious about the mental health benefits of fertility awareness methods? Read these articles:
Charting your fertility cycles through a fertility awareness method can help you track your PMS symptoms alongside your cycle. Mindfully tracking your cycle can also help you practice better self-care before and during your period.
Want some tips on how to practice self-care before, during, and after your period? Check out this article:
Anovulation: What Can It Mean
In an anovulatory cycle, no ovulation takes place, meaning that your ovaries dont release an egg. During this type of cycle, women may have some bleeding caused by uterine lining buildup or a drop in the estrogen hormone without having a true menstrual period.
Anovulation will make you skip fertile days if youre trying to get pregnant, and is responsible for around 25 percent of female infertility cases.
Its normal to have anovulatory cycles from time to time. It occurs most often when a person is first starting to menstruate or approaching menopause, as the body has a hormonal imbalance during these transitional periods, which interrupts ovulation.
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