fbpx Skip to main content
FertilityFor You

It’s Not So Easy Getting Pregnant

By December 2, 2021No Comments

Having a baby isn’t always as straightforward as it might be, and there can be a number of potential explanations for low fertility.

If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve — or someone you know has — been trying for a while for a baby, but without much luck (so far).

And that’s OK. It’s actually, believe it or not, quite common – infertility affects as many as one in four Irish couples, so you’re far from alone. But obviously, that’s little consolation.

What’s most important is why you’re not getting pregnant, and, of course, what can be done to boost your chances of having a baby.

The human body is inherently complex. And that’s both a good and bad thing. When it comes to your fertility, it means that there are a number of possible reasons, including ovulation irregularities, structural problems in the reproductive system, low sperm count, or an underlying medical problem.

By and large, most couples who have been trying for a baby without success find their infertility can be explained by one of the following eight reasons:-

  1. Not Ovulating

As you’ll no doubt remember from biology lessons, human conception requires an egg and sperm. Remove one of these and the chances of success are nil.

ovulating

If you’re not ovulating, you won’t be able to get pregnant. Anovulation (the lack or absence of ovulation), as it’s known, is a common cause of female infertility and it can be triggered by many conditions.

PCOS is one possible cause of anovulation. Other possible causes include being over or underweight, primary ovarian insufficiency, a thyroid dysfunction, hyperprolactinemia, and excessive exercise.

Most women who are experiencing ovulation problems have irregular periods. However, regular menstrual cycles are not a guarantee that ovulation is occurring. If you have irregular cycles, talk to your doctor, even if you haven’t been trying for a year yet.

  1. Low Sperm Count

Women may carry the baby, but the man’s role is equally important. Between 20-30% of infertile couples discover fertility factors on the man’s side. Another 40% discover infertility factors on both sides[1].

[1] Leaver RB. Male infertility: an overview of causes and treatment options. Br J Nurs. 2016;25(18):S35-S40. doi:10.12968/bjon.2016.25.18.S35

low sperm count

 

It’s important to bear in mind that male infertility rarely has symptoms that are observable without a semen analysis, which is a test that measures the health of the semen and sperm. So, when if and when you do make an appointment to see your GP, make sure you are both tested.

  1. Not Trying Long Enough

Assuming you’re ovulating and your partner’s sperm is of a sufficient quality and quantity, it’s worth looking at how long you have been trying to conceive.

It may feel like you’ve been trying forever—and perhaps you have!—but it’s important to know that many couples won’t conceive right away.

fertility sex

Approximately 80% of couples conceive after six months of trying, while this figure rises to 90% after 12 months. This assumes you have well-timed intercourse every month.

Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day, and nor are babies. If you’re fit and healthy and 35 years or older, it’s worth speaking with your GP about your fertility if you have been trying for a baby for over six months without falling pregnant. If you’re younger than 35, it’s advisable to consult with your GP if you have been trying for a baby for 12 months of over without success.

 

  1. Age-Related Infertility

Some sobering statistics:-

  • A woman’s prime reproductive years are in her 20s.
  • Fertility gradually declines in the 30s, particularly after age 35.
  • Each month that she tries, a healthy, fertile 30-year-old woman has a 20% chance of getting pregnant.

Age impacts egg (and sperm) quality as well as quantity. Furthermore, if your partner is five or more years older than you are, this can further increase your risk of fertility problems after age 35.4

  1. Blocked Fallopian Tubes

Ovulatory problems accounts for about 25% of female infertility cases[2]. The rest can have problems with blocked Fallopian tubes, uterine structural problems or endometriosis.

[2] Sasaki RS, Approbato MS, Maia MC, Fleury EA, Giviziez CR, Zanluchi N. Patients’ auto report of regularity of their menstrual cycles. Medical history is very reliable to predict ovulation. A cross-sectional study. JBRA Assist Reprod. 2016;20(3):118-122. doi:10.5935/1518-0557.20160027

blocked fallopian tubes

The Fallopian tubes are the pathway between your ovaries and the uterus. The Fallopian tubes do not directly attach to the ovaries; sperm need to swim up from the cervix, through the uterus, and into the Fallopian tubes.

When an egg is released from the ovaries, hair-like projections from the Fallopian tube draw the egg inside. Conception takes place inside the Fallopian tube, where the sperm and egg finally meet.

If anything prevents the Fallopian tubes from working properly, or if scarring blocks the sperm or egg from meeting, you won’t be able to get pregnant.

There are many possible causes of blocked Fallopian tubes. While some women with blocked tubes experience pelvic pain, many others have no symptoms. Only fertility testing, which can be carried out by your OB/GYN, can determine if your tubes are open.

  1. Endometriosis

Endometriosis is an often painful disorder in which tissue similar to the tissue that normally lines the inside of your uterus — the endometrium — grows outside your uterus. Studies have shown that approximately 50% of women with endometriosis will have difficulty getting pregnant[3].

[3] Macer ML, Taylor HS. Endometriosis and infertility: a review of the pathogenesis and treatment of endometriosis-associated infertility. Obstet Gynecol Clin North Am. 2012;39(4):535-549. doi:10.1016/j.ogc.2012.10.002

endometriosis

Endometriosis is unfortunately commonly misdiagnosed or simply just missed. It can’t be diagnosed with a blood test or ultrasound. Instead, it requires diagnostic laparoscopic surgery. Because of this, proper diagnosis takes an average of 4.4 years.

 

 

  1. Underlying Medical Problems

In addition to the more obvious causes, underlying medical conditions can also lead to infertility in both men and women.

For example, a thyroid imbalance or even undiagnosed diabetes can lead to infertility. While it’s not well understood, depression is also associated with infertility.

Furthermore, some autoimmune diseases, like lupus and undiagnosed sexually-transmitted diseases, such as chlamydia and gonorrhoea, can cause infertility[4].

[4] Hanson B, Johnstone E, Dorais J, Silver B, Peterson CM, Hotaling J. Female infertility, infertility-associated diagnoses, and comorbidities: a review. J Assist Reprod Genet. 2017;34(2):167-177. doi:10.1007/s10815-016-0836-8

  1. Unexplained Infertility

Between 10% and 30% of infertile couples never find out why they can’t get pregnant. Some doctors say this is a lack of good diagnosis. They say there is no such thing as unexplained infertility, but only undiscovered or undiagnosed problems.

The fact remains, though, that some couples don’t get answers. However, not having answers doesn’t mean you can’t be treated. You can (and should) still receive treatment for infertility, even if your diagnosis is unexplained.

In Summary

The reasons for infertility may not always be observable to the lay person.

If you’re having difficulty getting pregnant, it’s important to seek professional advice. The sooner you get help, the more likely fertility treatments will work for you.

0
    Your Cart
    Your cart is emptyReturn to Shop
      Calculate Shipping
      Apply Coupon
      Available Coupons
      alex10 Get  10.00 off Alex O'Connor Essex Fertility
      arr10 Get 10% off Association of Reproductive Reflexologists Discount Code
      avocado10 Get 10% off Avocado Fertility
      bethan10 Get 10% off Divine Blossom
      bnh10 Get 10% off Caroline Spindlow
      efp10 Get 10% off Enhanced Fertility Programme
      egn10 Get 10% off Eleanor Gordon Nutrition
      eleanorgordon20 Get 20% off Eleanor Gordon Discount Code 20%
      evah10 Get 10% off Log House Clinic
      fertifa20 Get 20% off
      fertilelife10 Get 10% off Cindy Charles
      fertilitysuite10 Get 10% off Rachel Sherriff
      free shipping Get  0.00 off
      ilana10 Get 10% off Acupuncture By Ilana
      innerlight10 Get 10% off Deirdre Souchere
      ivfbabble20 Get 0% off
      Unavailable Coupons
      biomeday20 Get 20% off World Microbiome Day Promotional Code for 3 months supply
      biomeday20 Get 20% off World Microbiome Day 2022
      fertilnat10 Get 10% off Fertilidade Natural Discount Code
      freeshipping Get 100% off
      Ovulation Calculator