9 reasons why it is difficult to get pregnant
Are you trying to get pregnant? Then you may have thought about which factors affect fertility - and why some people have great difficulty achieving it. The reasons can be many.
Did you know that ⅓ of the times the cause lies with the man, ⅓ with the woman and ⅓ with both - or is it unclear?
Here you get an overview of 9 reasons that can play a role - both for him and her.
1. The woman's age
Age is the factor that normally weighs heaviest in women. Fertility drops from the age of 35 and even more from the age of 40. As she gets older, genetic changes occur in the egg, so that the proportion of normal eggs drops. Several pregnancies also end due to genetic defects.
2. Reduced sperm quality
Reduced sperm quality in men is one of the most common reasons why a couple cannot have children. It could be too few swimmers, too poor swimming ability, abnormal shape or that it is genetically abnormal. Age also plays a role in men, and the proportion of genetically abnormal sperm cells increases after he turns 45.
3. Ovulation disorders
Some women have irregular or no ovulation. It can be due to overweight, underweight, stress or a genetic cause such as in women with PCOS. PCOS is a condition characterized by many small egg sacs (follicles) in the ovaries, irregular and rare periods and increased amounts of male sex hormones. Ovulation tests or blood tests during the cycle give answers as to whether she has ovulated or not.
4. Narrow fallopian tubes or fallopian tube damage
Fallopian tubes that are damaged or blocked are another possible reason why couples experience difficulty conceiving. It can be a consequence of infectious diseases such as chlamydia. The problem here is that the released egg never meets the sperm as the fallopian tube's job is to guide the egg there. If this is the case for you, the gynecologist can examine this through a relatively simple ultrasound examination.
5. Premature transition age
Some women are genetically inclined to reach early menopause (menopause). Before that, they experience shorter cycles and greater bleeding. It affects the capacity and function of the ovaries, and thus the possibility of becoming pregnant. A measurement of the AMH hormone on cycle days 1 and 2 can contribute to a yardstick if an early transition age is on the way.
6. Body weight and BMI
If you are underweight or overweight (19 < BMI > 35), hormonal changes can make it difficult to get pregnant. This is due to no or irregular egg development and ovulation. The cycle usually returns to normal after the body weight has stabilised, but some will still need help to become pregnant.
Even overweight men can have reduced fertility.
7. Lifestyle and diet
Physical activity reduces stress and improves self-esteem - and it can contribute positively during a trial period. Even a healthy and varied diet and low or no use of tobacco and alcohol is good for "trying".
Are there people around you who stress you out with questions about pregnancy? Explain that you are working on the case but not chasing. It usually reduces the questions in one go. Don't forget to take supplements with folic acid if you are trying to get pregnant. It protects the fetus against malformations.
8. Muscle knots and polyps
Muscle knots and polyps in the uterus and uterine cavity can reduce the chance of becoming pregnant. If this is the case, the gynecologist can find out with the help of ultrasound.
9. Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a condition when the same type of cells as those in the uterine lining (the endometrium) grow outside the uterus, such as in the peritoneum or on the ovaries. It irritates the peritoneum and can lead to clumping and narrowing of the fallopian tubes, which makes the environment more difficult for fertilization.
