Some important topics that should be covered in sex education curriculums should be conception and fertility. So often, conversations surrounding preventing pregnancies get highlighted but did you know, globally, between 48 million couples and 186 million individuals have issues with infertility.
Now that we know it’s a problem more common than we probably realize, let’s look into more information about fertility.
What is fertility?
Fertility is generally explained as the ability to conceive a baby naturally. People who suffer from reproductive conditions that make conception a struggle are said to have infertility. While pregnancy happens in females, both males and females can have fertility issues. Fertility can be affected by several factors.
Factors affecting fertility
There are a number of factors affecting fertility both in the males and females. Fertility is affected by the healthy production of sperm in males and ovum in females. It is also affected by the ability of the man’s sperm to reach the egg through an unblocked fallopian tube.
After that, the fertilized egg needs to be implanted in the uterus to continue to grow and develop. Again, a healthy embryo and uterus are imperative for this step. Finally, both the health of the implanted embryo and the woman’s hormonal environment is essential for a healthy, full-term pregnancy.
Fertility period in women
Did you know that women are not fertile every day of the year? They only have a set amount of days each cycle when they’re likely to get pregnant. Getting pregnant outside those days is usually a rare occurrence.
The most fertile period in women is during the ovulation period, which occurs 12 to 14 days before the next menstruation. Ovulation is a process that occurs when the egg is released from the ovaries and can be fertilized by the sperm.
Women are most fertile seven years after the start of menstruation. This lasts until they are in their 30s when fertility declines. While women continue to have menstruation until menopause, their fertility severely decreases after their 40s.
For more on getting pregnant in your 30s, read ‘How to Boost Fertility in Your 30s’.
Fertility facts
Many of us might not know too much about the concept of being fertile, especially when we’re not trying for kids. Here are some surprising facts about fertility:
- Fertility is determined by genetics that decides how many eggs a woman is born with.
- Having regular menstrual cycles is a sign of normal ovulation and increased fertility.
- Healthy weight ranges affect fertility in both men and women.
- Untreated sexually transmitted diseases can damage reproductive systems and cause infertility.
- Despite regular ovulation, most women struggle with infertility in their 40s.
- At birth, baby girls have all the eggs they will produce in their lifetime, which naturally declines over time.
Infertility symptoms
Infertility is defined as an inability of a couple to conceive after 12 months of attempting to conceive in women less than 35 years old, and after 6 months in women 35 years and older. It is common to assume that infertility is a problem only women face, but that’s not true.
There are many potential reasons for infertility in both men and women. Both parties’ health and genetics are equally important to determine the likelihood of conception. However, it is also possible to have external factors and unexplained causes for infertility.
Risk factors
Certain factors increase the risk of infertility, such as advanced age and weight. Smoking and alcohol consumption can also decrease fertility. Sexual history and sexually transmitted diseases also play a role in the occurrence of infertility.
What causes infertility in women?
Factors that disrupt the process of healthy conception include ovulation disorders, endometriosis, damaged fallopian tube, and uterine or cervical causes.
Ovulation disorders result in infrequent ovulation or problems with the regulation of hormones. For example, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) causes women not to ovulate regularly. Some women may also have a diminished ovarian reserve with fewer eggs left than expected.
Premature ovarian insufficiency is a condition that some women suffer from. It is also known as premature menopause. This is a condition when a woman’s ovaries fail before she reaches 40. The cause of this is often unexplained, but it is possible to still conceive naturally with this condition.
Improper function of the hormonal glands can also cause it to be challenging to get pregnant. In some situations, a woman may have blocked fallopian tubes or an abnormally shaped uterus due to other underlying medical conditions. Untreated sexually transmitted diseases could also cause infertility.
What causes infertility in men?
Infertility in men could be due to various reasons, including genetic disorders or unexplained external factors such as disruptions in the testicular or ejaculation functions. This could result from unhealthy habits like smoking, heavy alcoholism or drug use. Trauma to the testes or the use of certain medications could also affect male fertility.
Medical conditions such as cancer or diabetes can lead to testicular failure and thus, result in infertility.
Hormonal disorders triggered by the hypothalamus or pituitary glands not functioning as intended can also bring about l testicular dysfunction.
It is also possible for genetic disorders to cause low or no sperm to be produced. In addition, exposure to radiation or high temperatures frequently increases the risk of infertility in men.
For more reasons for infertility, read ‘Causes of Infertility in Males and Females’.
How to increase fertility?
There are methods to help increase fertility naturally.
A fertility diet can help prepare your body to support the growth and development of the fetus. Start a plan to increase lean proteins, leafy vegetables and healthy fats. Consuming the right kind of food will also encourage egg production.
Both being underweight and overweight is detrimental to fertility. Severely underweight women have difficulty menstruating. As a general rule, trying to maintain a normal BMI weight range of 20 – 24 is helpful for getting pregnant. Studies show that overweight men have lower sperm count and are more likely to have no sperm in their ejaculation. As such, one of the best things that you can do to increase fertility is to maintain a healthy weight range when trying for a baby.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is also vital. This includes eliminating alcohol and tobacco from your diet as these substances negatively impact your reproductive system and hurt your chance of conception. Adequate exercise can help too.
Additionally, you can prepare for pregnancy by taking prenatal vitamins to boost your folic acid and vitamin D intake. Vitamin D increases sex hormones in both men and women. A Vitamin D deficiency causes low estrogen levels and problems with ovulation.
Getting tested for infertility
If you have been trying for a baby for more than a year, it would be good to consider fertility tests to find out if there’s anything to be concerned about.
When a medical professionals speaks to you, some things they’ll check are your medical history, medicines you take, your lifestyle choices, and any chemicals you might be exposed to.
What is a fertility test?
There is no single test for infertility, but there are a few medical tests to run to find out what the problem might be. For example, a medical professional may ask you to get a pap smear, check the health of your reproductive organs or your hormone levels.
They might get a semen analysis, testicular biopsy, and conduct hormone testing or genetic tests in men. A personalised treatment plan is then created based on the test results.
When should I get tested for infertility?
The general suggestion is that women below 35 years old should try consistent sex without birth control methods for a year before getting tested. Women older than 35 should see a medical professional about infertility after six months of trying.
Women who have trouble with irregular periods, excruciating periods, endometriosis, or have experienced more than one miscarriage should consult a medical professional as soon as possible.
Fertility treatment
The fertility treatment depends on the cause of infertility. For women, medication can help with PCOS or ovulation problems. Fertility experts may also suggest assisted reproductive procedures such as Intrauterine insemination (IUI) or In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), amongst other available treatments.
For men, they may be advised to a make lifestyle changes to increase chances of pregnancy. They could also recommend medication or surgery depending on the reason for infertility. If assisted reproductive procedures are chosen, a sperm retrieval might be done.
If you suspect infertility, the best thing you can do is to speak to a health specialist to get their advice on your next steps. They will be able to talk you through your options and recommend treatment plans that can help. In addition, you can speak to our telehealth consultant at Ova SG about your concerns to get their advice.
Conclusion
Fertility can be caused by various reasons in both males and females alike. There are many options of treatments that are available and natural ways to boost your fertility. Don’t feel disheartened if you’re facing problems. Instead, reach out to experts who may be able to help you overcome your struggles.