Parenthood is a thrilling and intensely personal journey, which can also be difficult at times. You may be surprised by how many things can influence your fertility. Let’s dive into the 10 most surprising and informative facts that will help you in your journey toward becoming a parent.
1. A woman is born with a lifetime’s supply of eggs
A woman is born with all the eggs she’ll have ranging from 1 to 2 million. This quantity reduces due to a process known as ovarian follicle atresia. Approximately 300,000 eggs are left by the time she reaches puberty. After that, only one egg is released every month at the time of ovulation.
2. Infertility is a medical condition
Infertility can be due to a medical issue with you or your spouse, or a combination of factors that hinder pregnancy. The main symptom is being unable to conceive. However, certain diseases and changes are indicative of infertility.
Fertility may be affected by:
- An ovulation disorder
- Blocked fallopian tubes
- Endometriosis
- Uterine fibroids
- Pelvic inflammatory disease
- polycystic ovary syndrome
- Male factor infertility
Tobacco and alcohol usage, being obese or underweight, engaging in strenuous sports activity, and having an eating disorder can all impact fertility.
3. Age is undoubtedly a key factor in a person’s fertility
Even if all other fertility indicators are ideal, a person’s age might have a significant impact on their chances of conception. Age is the most reliable predictor of egg quality and reproductive capacity for women. Female fertility normally begins to decline in your late 30s, with fertility rates continuing to fall rapidly after age 40. While fertility treatment can be effective, pregnancy rates are typically low after age 43. Donor eggs are frequently utilized in fertility treatments to help women conceive in their late 40s.
A man’s age can also have an impact on his sperm quality. Men over the age of 40 have fewer healthy sperm than younger men. After the age of 20, semen and sperm motility continue to diminish based upon lifestyle habits of the man. In cases of low sperm quality or count, donor sperm can be utilized.
4. It is not always easy to become pregnant again
One successful pregnancy does not guarantee that the next ones will be simple to conceive. The inability to become pregnant or maintain a pregnancy after giving birth is known as secondary infertility, and it happens often. However, you might be able to become pregnant once more with the assistance of a fertility doctor.
5. Male-factor infertility is more common than you realize
For men, a variety of conditions can cause significant variations in sperm count and motility. Some of the more common causes include age, genetics, certain medical conditions, and excessive smoking or alcohol consumption. It’s also worth noting that having a previous pregnancy does not guarantee the existence of fertile sperm.
Because each man’s health and situation is unique, different treatments and recommendations are offered based on the circumstances. IVF doctors frequently require a semen examination before beginning any treatment. The conventional semen analysis examines the following parameters: sperm volume, quantity, concentration, motility, sperm morphology and live sperm rate, to determine whether the sperm is viable for a successful pregnancy.
6. Your diet may have little impact on your fertility
You might have seen stories on social media about how specific meals may help with infertility. However, there is currently minimal scientific data and medical investigations to support these views. However, some research suggests that vitamin D deficiency may contribute to infertility in some women. This vitamin is also required during pregnancy, therefore if your Vitamin D levels are low, you should consult with an IVF specialist to avoid fertility difficulties and increase your chances of bringing the pregnancy to term.
7. Importance of reducing stress and a healthy lifestyle
Stress levels can have a significant impact on your hormone levels and menstrual cycle. An increase in stress or emotional weariness might create or intensify issues when attempting to conceive. When your menstrual cycles are irregular, one of the most difficult challenges is determining when to schedule intercourse or insemination to enhance your chances of becoming pregnant — and if your period stops completely, you will be unable to conceive at all.
Lifestyle might also affect fertility. You should avoid smoking and being exposed to secondhand cigarette smoke. Maintaining a healthy diet and avoiding excessive alcohol consumption are both beneficial.
8. Your body mass index (BMI) matters
In women, body weight affects hormone levels; being overweight or underweight might impair estrogen production, which is necessary for your body to ovulate on a regular basis. According to recent research, having a body mass index (BMI) of less than 18 or more than 32 is connected with ovulation and conception issues. The normal range for a woman’s BMI is optimal for pregnancy. In order for a woman to become pregnant, she must have regular ovulation and appropriate estrogen levels. As a result, keeping your BMI within a healthy range is critical to your fertility journey.
9. Basal temperature charting may not always predict ovulation
Your basal temperature is the temperature of your body during full rest. This is commonly used as a guideline for when to try to conceive. When a person ovulates, their body temperature normally rises to some extent.
It is more difficult than you realize to precisely track your basal temperature. This occurs because basal temperature does not usually rise the day after ovulation. If you use basal temperature to time intercourse, you may overestimate your fertile window by a few days, decreasing your chances of conceiving. Furthermore, obsessing about ‘precise timing’ can cause additional stress for you or your spouse, significantly impacting conception.
10. The ideal time to freeze your eggs is in your 20’s and early 30’s
Female fertility begins to drop around the age of thirty and is significantly reduced beyond forty. Given this, a woman’s ideal age to freeze her eggs would be in her twenties or early thirties. While there are numerous reasons to freeze your eggs, if you are unsure when you will wish to conceive or if you have a fertility issue that may affect your fertility in the future, it is recommended to freeze your eggs now instead of later.
FAQ’s
What are the signs you can’t get pregnant?
Aside from difficulty conceiving, symptoms might differ greatly from one individual to another. Depending on the cause of infertility, women may feel pelvic pain, heavy periods, missed periods, or irregular vaginal bleeding. It is critical to address any unexpected symptoms with your doctor.
What is the age limit for getting pregnant?
A woman’s peak reproductive years are between her late teens and late twenties. By the age of 30, fertility (the capacity to become pregnant) begins to drop. This deterioration accelerates after you reach your mid-30s. By the age of 45, fertility has reduced to the point where natural conception is rare.
If you can’t get pregnant what to do?
If you’re having trouble getting pregnant or suspect you have infertility, see a fertility doctor. There are tests that helps the doctors in making a diagnosis and suggesting you a proper treatment. Many people have successful pregnancies after receiving treatment.