5 Reasons You Might Be Struggling to Fall Pregnant
If you’re struggling to fall pregnant, you’re certainly not alone. An estimated 17% of couples in Australia are confronted with this issue.
If you’re among this percentage, you likely feel confused, frustrated, and overwhelmed.
You may wonder—why does it seem like everyone around me can get pregnant, but I can’t?
Conception reality
Many couples don’t consider how long it’ll take to fall pregnant until it’s time to get down to business.
Realistically, if you're under the age of 35, then approximately one year of unprotected sex should see most couples fall pregnant.
If you're over 35-years, things get a little trickier and there's more than 75% chance you will need some sort of assistance to get pregnant.
If you’ve tried the conventional methods (having frequent intercourse during your fertile window) and you’re still unable to conceive, another factor is likely at play.
Here are the most common issues:
Male factor
Falling pregnant is a 50/50 game.
In more than 20% of infertility cases, the problem lies with the male’s sperm, such as having a low sperm count or abnormal sperm movement or shape. Male infertility can be caused by several different factors, including obesity, medical conditions like diabetes and unhealthy habits such as heavy drinking and smoking.
Age
While most women hate the saying “your biological clock is ticking,” there is quite a bit of truth in this statement. While men produce sperm throughout their lives, women are born with a set number of eggs that decrease in quality and quantity with age.
Egg loss accelerates around 37 years old, making it more difficult to conceive.
Anovulation
Human ovulation requires an egg and sperm. Anovulation is a condition where a woman’s ovaries fail to release an egg during the menstrual cycle, making it nearly impossible to fall pregnant without medical assistance.
Anovulation is responsible for up to 30% of female infertility cases and has many potential causes, including:
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
Obesity
Low body weight
Extreme exercise
High-stress levels
In many cases, anovulation resolves by treating the underlying cause, but it’s typically not a quick fix and best done with the guidance of your doctor.
Blockage of the fallopian tubes
The fallopian tubes are pathways in the female reproductive tract that carry an egg from the ovary to the uterus. Conception takes place inside the fallopian tube, where the sperm and egg meet.
In some women, the tubes can become blocked or scarred, which prevents the sperm from reaching the egg. Your doctor can arrange an ultrasound and referral to an obstetrician if they suspect this is an issue.
Underlying medical problems
Certain medical conditions can lead to infertility in both men and women, including endometriosis, diabetes, depression, thyroid dysfunction, lupus, and sexually transmitted diseases. Your doctor can arrange various tests to determine if these conditions are present and the cause of infertility.
When to seek help and additional support
If you're under 35-years and had unprotected sex for approx one year and not conceived, then it's time to have a chat with one of our doctors about possible fertility options.
If you're over 35, seeking help after six months of trying is recommended.
Whether infertility issues require lifestyle changes or fertility treatments, there are several options available. Many couples overcome infertility and go on to have beautiful, healthy children.
If you’d like an appointment, call us today on 02 9399 9399.
Another helpful resource is our Pre-Conception Ebook which is free to download and details steps to take to make your journey to conceive as smooth and healthy as possible.
Image source: Pexels - Shvets Production
