Whether you are a woman or a couple with a dream of building your family, or you are in the process of trying to get pregnant, there are several things you should know and consider about your fertility…
Much of the following information was not part of the education we received on reproduction as teenagers. In fact, for most of us, the “sex” education we received at home and at school was focused on preventing pregnancy. While pregnancy prevention information is great for teenagers, it is not necessarily enough for the rest of our reproductive lives. Here are several other pieces of basic fertility information that were probably not taught during your teenage years.
Consider Your Biological Clock If You Want to Have Children
Based on research studies and various surveys taken over the years, it seems that many women (and men) are not aware of how much female fertility declines with age. Many people surveyed misjudged their likelihood of conceiving over the age of 40. In addition, most folks surveyed assumed that IVF treatment alone could solve any age-related fertility issues. Because so many people do not have the correct reproductive facts, they often plan to begin their families later in life. Without understanding declining fertility, they sometimes wait too long to start trying to conceive.
Research has shown that a woman is most fertile in her early twenties, typically between the ages of 20 and 24. Her fertility begins to slowly decrease in her late twenties, with a sharper decline starting at age 35. By the time a woman reaches her mid-40s, she has only a miniscule chance of conceiving on her own. Of course, the decline in fertility will be slightly different for every woman. Other factors, including lifestyle, genetics, and environment, will also play an important role in a woman’s fertility.
An Unhealthy Lifestyle Can Impact Your Fertility
Not only do unhealthy habits have a negative impact on your overall health, they can also have a harmful effect on your fertility. If you are planning on conceiving now or in the future, be sure to consider these potentially harmful habits:
- Your weight will play a major role in your fertility. You may wind up having trouble conceiving if you are either underweight or overweight. Talk to your doctor now if either situation applies to you.
- Everyone knows that smoking is unhealthy. You may even know that smoking isn’t good for fertility; most people don’t know, however, that smoking can cause earlier menopause, quickening age-related infertility. On a positive note, research has shown that if you quit early enough, you may be able to reverse the negative effects of smoking.
- Risky sexual activity, such as unprotected sex, multiple partners, early onset of sexual activity, may lead to contracting a sexually transmitted disease. The infections related to sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) often lead to infertility. Because many sexually transmitted infections are symptomless in women, you might never even realize that you have an STD. You may feel okay, even as the internal infection devastates your reproductive organs. If you are at risk, it is important for you to see your gynecologist for regular testing and be sure to practice safe sex.
You Are Fertile For Less Than a Week of Each Monthly Cycle
When we were learning about our reproductive potential in school, many of us walked away from those lessons with the impression that sex, at any time, could lead to pregnancy. The real deal is that you are only fertile for a week (at the most) during each cycle; during that week period, you are very fertile for only two to three days. The peak of your fertility comes before ovulation, and there are several methods available for predicting this best time for conception sex.
Although many women think that their most fertile day is Day 14 of their menstrual cycle, that is actually a myth that has come down through the ages. Of course, every woman is different and therefore, not every woman ovulates on Day 14. If you wait to have sex on Day 14, but ovulate on Day 11 or 12, you will have missed your chance to conceive. On the other hand, you may actually ovulate on Day 17 or 18. If that is the case, you will have had sex way too soon. If you are trying to get pregnant, it is probably best to have more frequent sex, rather than trying to time sex based specifically on ovulation.
Talk to Your Doctor if Your Cycles are Irregular or Painful
When a young woman begins menstruating, irregular cycles and painful menstrual cramps are not really unusual. Even though it often takes a while to get the body regulated as it begins maturing, it is important to discuss irregularities with your gynecologist – even when you are a teen.
Menstrual pain that negatively impacts your daily life can be a symptom of PID (pelvic inflammatory disease) or endometriosis and either one can be the source of infertility. Speak to your doctor as soon as possible, if you are experiencing painful menstrual cramps. The longer PID goes untreated, the more chance there is for damage to your reproductive organs. In addition, there are a variety of causes for irregular periods. If your cycles are irregular or extremely painful, be sure to speak to your doctor about your symptoms before you start trying to conceive.
Seek Help If You Don’t Conceive After Six Months to One Year
Typically, within six months of well-planned unprotected sex, close to 80% of couples will conceive; within a year, about 90% will achieve their dream of becoming pregnant. If you are still not pregnant after trying to conceive for a year, it is time to make an appointment with your gynecologist for a fertility evaluation. Because fertility declines as you age, when you are over 35, the timetable is shorter. If you are 35 or older, you should see your doctor if you don’t conceive after six months of trying, in order to get help as soon as possible.
Sadly, not everyone takes this advice, putting off an appointment with their doctor for much longer than a year. This is really not advisable, however, as some causes of infertility worsen over the course of time. In the long run, pushing off a fertility evaluation may lower your chances for successful fertility treatment later.
The reproductive specialists at the Center of Reproductive Medicine (CORM) have safely provided the highest pregnancy success rates for thousands of patients in the greater Houston area. At CORM, our professional staff is committed to providing the highest quality reproductive medicine and care for each patient. If you are having trouble getting pregnant or would like more information, please contact the Center of Reproductive Medicine today!