Why can’t we get pregnant - what are the reasons?
No one can be blamed for infertility any more than anyone is to blame for other medical conditions. In approximate terms, about half of infertility cases involve male factors and half factors that affect women, with a significant proportion being a combination of both male and female factors. However, for up to 10% of couples, infertility remains unexplained.
The most common male infertility factors include azoospermia (no sperm cells are produced) and oligospermia (few sperm cells are produced). Sometimes, sperm cells are malformed or they die before they can reach the egg. In rare cases, infertility in men is caused by a genetic disease such as cystic fibrosis or a chromosomal abnormality.
The most common female infertility factor is an ovulation disorder. Other causes of female infertility include blocked fallopian tubes, (which can occur when a woman has had pelvic inflammatory disease) Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), or endometriosis (a sometimes painful condition causing adhesions and cysts). Anomalies involving the structure of the uterus and uterine fibroids can be associated with recurrent miscarriages.
Hormonal factors, being overweight or underweight and age particularly in the female partner also have an impact.
What effect does diet, lifestyle and smoking have on fertility?
A well-balanced nutritional diet three to four months prior to conception maximises the chance of conception and live birth. 500mg of folic acid taken daily reduces neural tube defects. Reducing stress improves ovulation and the chance of spontaneous conception. High caffeine intake decreases fertility. Smoking increases the incidence of infertility by three times; it increases the risk of ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage and congenital abnormalities. Smoking also reduces the response to fertility drugs.
How does age affect fertility?
Female fertility declines slightly at 30 years and there is then a significant decline at around 37 to 38 years of age. By the time a woman is 40 years old her fertility is a quarter of when she was 30.
The miscarriage rate increases with age from about one in seven for women aged less than 25 years to about one in two at 40 years of age.
Does stress affect fertility?
There is no research that clearly links stress to pregnancy outcome. However the process of fertility treatment can be stressful, so stress management may be beneficial. Repromed has experienced counsellors available to help you and includes up to two counselling sessions during treatment, at no extra cost.
What is day one of my cycle?
The first day of full flow bleeding before midday is day one of your cycle.
What is the fertile time?
Depends upon the length of cycle, e.g. in a 28 day cycle ovulation should occur on day 14 and the “fertile time” is approximately days 11 to 15. Normal fertility is achieved with alternate day intercourse across the fertile time.