Trouble Getting Pregnant
Conception and pregnancy are exceptionally complex biological processes that rely on the perfect synchronization of many factors. First and foremost, a successful conception requires healthy eggs and sperm. You also need unobstructed fallopian tubes and a uterus capable of sustaining a pregnancy. You also need to plan intercourse according to your ovulation cycle so that the sperm can meet the egg at the exact right moment. A wide range of factors can disrupt any of these aspects.
If you have been trying for a year to actively conceive and haven’t succeeded in getting pregnant, seeing a fertility specialist will explore what the issue is and develop a treatment plan to address it.
Being Over the Age of 35
As you reach your mid-30s, your fertility begins to decline, first gradually and then rapidly. After the age of 35, a woman’s ovarian reserve has naturally depleted in both quantity and quality. This can also be exacerbated by certain medical conditions and lifestyle factors, such as endometriosis and smoking. Because you have fewer eggs, the chances of successfully getting pregnant are lower. Furthermore, as you get older, the eggs that remain are more likely to have structural and chromosomal abnormalities.
For men, the aging process affects their reproductive health a little differently. Men can produce sperm throughout their adult lives, starting from puberty. As such, many people believe that men retain their peak fertility at all ages. However, this is not true. Although men can continue to produce sperm at older ages than women can produce eggs, male fertility also begins to decline after the age of 35. Not only does your sperm count begin to drop, but the sperm also become less motile and more prone to genetic instability and fragmentation.
For individuals who are over the age of 35, it’s often recommended to see a fertility specialist after six months of actively trying to conceive without success. However, there are many factors to consider, and in some cases, you might want to see a fertility specialist sooner.
A Known Reproductive Disorder
There are several female reproductive disorders that can make it more difficult for patients to get pregnant, the most common and well-known being endometriosis, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), and uterine fibroids.
