The road to pregnancy isn’t the same for every couple. A woman can get pregnant as soon as she’s off the pill or try for months or years. There are dozens of factors involved: the man’s sperm count, the woman’s menstrual cycle, the couple’s overall health and lifestyle. When you’re having trouble getting pregnant, a doctor will approach the problem by targeting one or more of these factors. This article lists some of the common obstacles to pregnancy and how they can be overcome.
Age: A woman’s fertility declines with age. Unlike men, women don’t produce eggs throughout their lives—they are born with a finite number, and their bodies release one from the bunch roughly every month. By age 35, most women’s eggs have reduced significantly, and the quality of the remaining eggs declines at around age 40.
Sperm count: An average man’s ejaculate contains 50 million sperm, of which about a couple of hundred are able to fertilize the woman’s egg. Different factors can contribute to this number. These mostly have to do with health and lifestyle, although age and genetics have been linked to low sperm count in some studies. The biggest contributors, however, are habits such as smoking and substance abuse, certain sports such as cycling, obesity, and emotional stress. The use of some lubricants during sex can also affect fertility; if you regularly use one; go for a sperm-friendly brand such as Pro-seed.
Sperm quality: A man with a normal sperm count can still have fertility problems if the sperm is of low quality. This usually means that they are not strong enough to make it all the way to the egg, or are simply not able to fertilize. Fertility isn’t understood as well in men as it is in women, so doctors aren’t sure what affects sperm quality. However, it may help to kick bad habits such as smoking and drinking, and avoid hot, tight clothing around the crotch area.
Ovulation problems: Some women have an impaired ability, or sometimes total inability, to ovulate. This is most often caused by hormone imbalances that keep eggs from reaching maturity. Or if they do mature, the same hormone problems can prevent them from being released into the uterus. There may also be less common causes resulting from one of the systems that control ovulation. The hypothalamus, pituitary gland, ovaries, and even the adrenal and thyroid glands all play a role in ovulation, and dysfunctions in these organs can impede ovulation.
Fertilization problems: A woman’s reproductive tract can be a tough environment for sperm. One of the first obstacles is the thick cervical mucus, which is produced in greater quantities when a woman is aroused. Another is the egg’s protective covering, which the sperm will have to penetrate. Its evolution’s way of making sure only the strongest and most viable sperm make it to the egg and are made into a new baby. Physical blockages, such as tumors and polyps, can also block the path to the egg.
Implantation problems: After an egg is fertilized, its next step is to attach itself onto the wall of the uterus. This process is called implantation. Sometimes, however, problems in the uterus itself or the fertilized egg can keep it from implanting properly. The most common cause is a problem in the endometrium, the lining of the uterus that gets expelled during menstruation. The uterus may also be an unusual size or shape, making it hard for the fertilized egg to find the lining.
For most couples, these problems arise only when they start trying to conceive. Your best bet is to go for a checkup and spot these problems as soon as you decide to have a baby. The earlier you start, the more time you’ll have to prepare—not just for the pregnancy but for motherhood and the exciting new journey ahead. You can find out the best ways of how to get pregnant by getting an excellent pregnancy guide, available here.
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