Couples who have struggled to get pregnant will give you one very important piece of advice: Be patient. Getting pregnant is a process that may take a little time. But how much time is too much time?
There’s a clear guideline: the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)\ define infertility as the inability to get pregnant after one year of having sex without protection. However, for those older than 35, this period decreases to six months. Statistically speaking, roughly 6 percent of women between the ages of 15 and 44 can’t conceive after a year.
Infertility can feel isolating. We see our friends having babies-- and WISH that we could do the same. But it’s important to remember that infertility is a common thing. In fact, the nonprofit group, the National Fertility Association, reports that one in eight couples either can’t conceive or can’t carry a baby to term. (In other words, you’re not alone.)
The good news is that infertility can be treated. In fact, 80 to 95 percent of infertility cases can be treated with either medication or surgical procedures.
If you’re struggling to conceive, take a look at these five factors that may play a role in your ability to get pregnant.
Stress
Trying to get pregnant and being unable to do so is stressful, but stress may affect the ability to get pregnant.
According to Today, studies have linked stress to infertility. One such study examined more than 400 women between the ages of 18 and 40 who had recently decided to try to have a child. The subjects, who had not reported prior issues conceiving, were observed for either a year or until they were expecting.
In this process, researchers looked at two stress biomarkers: cortisol and alpha-amylase. Though they found that cortisol probably wasn’t a factor, alpha-amylase was directly linked to the ability to conceive. In fact, it reflected a 29 percent increase in how long it took to conceive, with these women being two times more likely to be considered infertile.
But you can take steps to combat this factor. According to Parents, there are some important things that you can do to decrease stress to increase the chances of getting pregnant. The first of these things is to take up yoga, which may lower stress hormone levels.
Second, go to bed earlier than usual. Parents magazine says that most women ovulate sometime between midnight and eight in the morning. Plus, sleep is good for the body in general.
Third, “do the deed” in a way that’s fun. When we’re trying to get pregnant, sex can lose its zip. So go back to the old-school way of doing things. Make sex spontaneous and adventurous, regardless of when the calendar says you’re most fertile. You’ll be less stressed out in the meantime.
Weight
Weight is something that we think of when it comes to fitting into skinny jeans. However, it also plays an important role in the ability to conceive.
According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, obesity may be a factor in 6 percent of primary infertility cases. And not weighing enough may play a part as well. Fortunately, more than 70 percent of those who struggle to get pregnant due to weight will get pregnant if the problem is resolved.
So take the steps needed to get to a healthy weight. Whether you’re trying to lose or gain weight, talk to your doctor about healthy ways to do it. See a nutritionist for even more insightful tips.
Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a painful condition that can affect the ability to get pregnant. According to the Endometriosis Association, up to 6.3 million American women are affected.
When it comes to endometriosis, endometrial tissue grows in the wrong place (endometrial implant). This tissue normally lines the uterus. But in those with endometriosis, it grows outside of the uterus in places where it shouldn't.
Consequently, a woman’s menstrual cycle is affected because the tissue acts in the same way it would during a menstrual cycle. It increases and then tries to expel itself. However, it has nowhere to go to exit the body. As a result, a woman bleeds internally. This can lead to pain, infertility, bowel problems and scar tissue formation.
If you think that you may have endometriosis, talk to your doctor about this issue. Getting your medical team onboard is essential.
PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome)
According to the Mayo Clinic, PCOS is an endocrine system disorder that affects women of childbearing age. PCOS can lead to the development of follicles on the ovaries, found through an ultrasound. This can make periods irregular or nonexistent and may cause other issues. For example, women with PCOS may grow facial hair, develop acne or gain weight.
While the exact cause of PCOS is not known, excess insulin, inflammation and genetics may play a role in this health condition. But there are ways to increase the chance of pregnancy in the face of PCOS. Doctors can prescribe medications that will help ovulation. For example, Clomiphene is an anti-estrogen medication that may help.
And if this doesn’t work, metformin may be used to help you to ovulate. If both of these methods are still ineffective, injections of gonadotropins can be given. This involves the use of both follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). Plus, letrozole may be used to stimulate the ovaries if other options aren’t working.
Losing weight and eating a moderately low-carb/high-fiber diet may help. Exercise is also thought to be good for insulin resistance in general.
Smoking
We often say we’ll quit smoking AFTER we get pregnant. But in truth, smoking while trying to conceive may affect the ability to get pregnant. This concept applies to men, too.
“Smoking has a negative impact on fertility, primarily by extending the time to conception,” Dr. John Jain, Medical Director of Santa Monica Fertility, who makes regular appearances on The Dr. Oz Show and is featured in the Brigitte Mueller documentary My Future Baby, tells Parenting. Jain says that smoking takes a toll on sperm count and may interfere with ovulation.