Having a baby is a major milestone in a lot of women’s lives, but the road to conceiving isn’t always easy. Your fertility can be affected by numerous factors, some in your control and some that aren’t. We share the top factors that impact your fertility, as a woman. But do remember, your ability to conceive depends as much on your partner’s fertility, so if you have concerns it may be good to explore those factors as well.
Age
Your age is a key factor and possibly the best-known factor that affects fertility. Women begin to see a decline in the number of eggs as well as the quality of eggs in the ovaries as they get older. In general, fertility starts to decline more in the mid-30s, and the pace of this decline increases in the late 30s. This means getting pregnant in your 30s may be harder than when you were in your 20s.
Weight
Being overweight or underweight are both equally unfavourable as far as your fertility is concerned. If you can try and get to your ideal healthy weight range for your height, it can improve the odds of getting pregnant.
Stress Levels
One study found that women who had high levels of stress took 29% more time to get pregnant than women who were less stressed. The cause of the linkage is unclear, but some experts suggest it may be due to the negative effect stress has on your libido, reducing the frequency of intercourse and by extension the chance of conceiving.
Smoking/Drinking/Drug Abuse
Substance abuse(like cocaine, marijuana, or heroin usage), as well as heavy drinking or smoking, can reduce female fertility.
Medication And/Or Existing Health Conditions
Certain chronic diseases and/or the medication associated with them can also have bearing on your fertility. For instance, a thyroid problem(both hyper and hypothyroidism), diabetes, hypertension, and autoimmune problems like lupus can affect your fertility. Keep your gynaecologist informed of all medication that you are on.
Gynecological Health
Certain conditions related to your uterus, ovaries, and reproductive system like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), premature ovarian failure or primary ovarian insufficiency, pelvic inflammatory disease, pelvic tuberculosis, hyperprolactinemia(excessive prolactin), endometriosis, benign polyps or tumors (fibroids or myomas), and uterine abnormalities from birth can also adversely affect your fertility, making it harder to get pregnant. If you have had surgery in the pelvic or abdominal region in the past, it may also affect fertility.
Take A Reliable Pregnancy Test
When it comes to confirming a pregnancy, be sure to choose an accurate pregnancy test like the Mamaxpert Rapid Pregnancy Detection Kit. You can buy one over-the-counter at any pharmacy and take the test anytime, anywhere. You get your highly accurate pregnancy test results within minutes, without the need to head to a clinic or hospital for a test. Quick and convenient, it is easy to use too. It’s the best way to know for sure!
Find out more about the Mamaxpert range of products that can help you through your pregnancy journey and beyond.