10 Fertility Facts You Should Be Aware of

Fertility is the ability to conceive and give birth to a child. While it may seem like a simple concept, there are many factors that can impact fertility. You usually visit the best fertility centre in your locality when you notice something wrong with your fertility. Here are some important fertility facts that you should be aware of.

1. Fertility declines with age

The most important thing to know about fertility is that it declines with age. Women are born with a finite number of eggs, and as they age, the quantity and quality of those eggs decrease. Men also experience a decline in fertility as they age, although it is less steep than in women.

2. Lifestyle factors can impact fertility

Lifestyle factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, and obesity can all impact fertility. Women who smoke may experience earlier menopause, while men who smoke may have lower sperm counts. Similarly, excessive alcohol consumption and obesity can also lead to infertility.

3. Infertility is common

Infertility is defined as the inability to conceive after one year of trying for women under 35, or after six months for women over 35. Infertility is more common than you might think, with around 12% of women in the United States experiencing infertility.

4. There are many different causes of infertility

Infertility can have many different causes. In women, common causes include ovulation disorders, fallopian tube damage, endometriosis, and uterine or cervical abnormalities. In men, common causes include low sperm count or motility, structural abnormalities, and hormonal imbalances.

5. Fertility treatments can be effective

If you are struggling with infertility, it is important to know that there are many effective fertility treatments available. These include medications to stimulate ovulation, intrauterine insemination (IUI), and in vitro fertilisation (IVF). The success rates of these treatments vary depending on the specific cause of infertility and other factors such as age.

6. Male factor infertility is just as common as female factor infertility

While infertility is often thought of as a woman’s issue, male factor infertility is just as common. In fact, male factor infertility is the sole cause of infertility in around 30% of couples, and a contributing factor in another 20-30% of cases.

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7. Timing is important when trying to conceive

To increase your chances of conceiving, it is important to have sex during your most fertile window. This typically occurs around ovulation, which is when an egg is released from the ovary. Ovulation typically occurs around 14 days before the start of your next period, although this can vary.

8. Tracking your menstrual cycle can help

Tracking your menstrual cycle can help you identify your most fertile window. There are many different methods for tracking your cycle, including using a basal body thermometer to track changes in your body temperature, monitoring changes in cervical mucus, and using ovulation predictor kits.

9. Age is the biggest factor in egg quality

As we mentioned earlier, fertility declines with age. One of the reasons for this is that the quality of a woman’s eggs declines as she ages. This means that women over the age of 35 may be more likely to experience infertility or pregnancy loss, and may also have a higher risk of having a child with a chromosomal abnormality.

10. Some health conditions can impact fertility

Certain health conditions can also impact fertility. For example, women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) may experience irregular periods and difficulty ovulating. Men with diabetes may have lower sperm counts, while men with varicoceles (enlarged veins in the scrotum) may experience reduced sperm quality.

Conclusion

Fertility is a complex and multifaceted issue that can be impacted by a variety of factors. It is important to be aware of these factors in order to optimise your chances of conceiving. While age is the most significant factor in fertility decline, lifestyle factors, health conditions, and stress can all play a role as well. Understanding the different causes of infertility and the treatments available can help you make informed decisions about your reproductive health. By taking care of your overall health, managing stress, and seeking support when needed, you can maximise your chances of achieving a healthy pregnancy and starting a family.