Not everyone is a “Fertile Myrtle”… the endearing term we OB-GYNs often give to those women who get pregnant in the blink of an eye. We’ve probably all known someone who can conceive effortlessly, it seems!
In actuality, although studies demonstrate that the large majority (80 to 90 percent) of seemingly healthy couples will conceive within the first year of trying, they also show that the fecundability, or the probability of being pregnant in a single menstrual cycle, declines with age.
These days, pregnancy and family planning are often purposefully put on hold. Many women choose to pursue other goals before starting a family, and thus they may face fertility challenges later. The good news is that the opportunities for education, testing, and treatment for infertility have never been richer.1
Infertility is defined as the inability to conceive after actively trying (regular intercourse without contraception) for 12 months for women who are younger than 35 years old, and after six months for those aged 35 and older. Studies suggest the incidence of infertility in the US is estimated at 12 to 18 percent.2 Women who have not achieved pregnancy after 12 months have even lower fecundability.
Five to 15 percent of seemingly normal couples will conceive in the second 12 months of attempted conception; after 24 months of trying to become pregnant, 95 percent of couples will have conceived.1
A woman’s fertility peaks between 20 and 30 years old and gradually declines with age, starting as early as 32, with a more notable decline at 35. The decline is even more significant at 40. Miscarriage rates also increase with age. If you are counting on having on a larger family, it’s important to plan accordingly. Keep in mind, women are born with a finite number of eggs and that number naturally decreases over time.
Age & Number of oocytes (eggs)
Female Fetus 2o weeks: 6–7 million
Birth: 1–2 million
Puberty: 300,000–500,000
Age 37: 25,000
Age 51 (average age of menopause in the US): 1,000
In addition to advancing age, issues that negatively impact fertility include hormonal imbalances including thyroid irregularities, PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome), irregular menses or absent menses (amenorrhea), uterine fibroids, tubal disease, endometriosis, prior gynecologic surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, smoking, pelvic infection, and early menopause or family history of such.Causes and risk factors for infertility
The World Health Organization (WHO) task force on Diagnosis and Treatment of Infertility studied 8500 infertile couples to determine causes of infertility.3 In developed countries, female factor infertility was reported in 37 percent of infertile couples, male factor infertility in eight percent, and both male and female factor infertility in 35 percent. Five percent of couples had unexplained infertility.
Another study reported the following causes:
Male factor: 26%
Ovulatory dysfunction: 21%
Tubal damage: 14%
Endometriosis: 6%
Coital problems: 6%
Cervical factor: 3%
Unexplained: 28%
The frequency of these factors in infertility is similar whether attempting pregnancy for the first time or in subsequent attempts, and has not changed significantly over the past 25 years in developed countries.4 The bottom line is that not all infertility is caused by female disorders.
Couples who have been unable to conceive after 12 months of actively trying (unprotected and frequent intercourse) should consider an infertility evaluation. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) recommend that women over 35 receive an expedited infertility evaluation and consider treatment after six months of unsuccessful attempts to conceive, and earlier if clinically indicated due to additional risk factors other than age. In women over 40, immediate evaluation and expedited treatment are recommended. 5
Since in more than one-third of couples, male factor infertility is to blame, evaluation of the male partner is vital. Risk factors include a history of testicular trauma requiring treatment, mumps as an adult, erectile dysfunction, chemotherapy and/or radiation, or a history of difficulty conceiving with another partner. A simple semen analysis to check sperm count (the number of sperm per ejaculate), motility (sperm swimming ability) and morphology (sperm shape) is usually the first step. A urology consultation is typically requested with any semen irregularity or obvious anatomic abnormality. A comprehensive physical exam, an ultrasound of the scrotum, and blood hormone levels might be obtained for further evaluation.
First and foremost, education about the menstrual cycle, the optimal fertility window during the cycle, and appropriately-timed intercourse are essential. In general, sex every one to two days around the expected time of ovulation or according to an ovulation predictor kit is recommended. If you have a regular cycle, ovulation predictor kits and period tracker apps make timing ovulation and noting ideal times for intercourse easier than ever.
Making certain lifestyle changes such as smoking cessation, reducing excessive caffeine intake and alcohol consumption, and optimizing body weight and exercise routines can further improve fertility.6,7
Our busy lives and multitasking nature lead to increased stress, not to mention the added stress of trying to get pregnant.
Prolonged or chronic stress may make it difficult to conceive, and difficulty conceiving usually increases stress further. It’s a double-edged sword. In the simplest of terms, stress may be a signal to the body that now is not the best time to become pregnant. In a recent Fertility and Sterility study of approximately 250 women ages 18 to 40, biomarkers of stress were inversely associated with probability of conception; that is, as stress indicators increased, probability of conception decreased.8
However, other studies have found little to no relationship between anxiety levels, cortisol levels, and successful conception. Therefore, it’s unclear exactly how stress impacts conception. What is known, however, is that stress impacts the body’s hormone levels, menstrual cycle, and immune function. I advise stress reduction measures including yoga, relaxed paced breathing exercises and mindfulness training in women to reduce stress during fertility work-up and treatment.
Aside from being an effective stress reducer, exercise provides preparation for the physical demands of pregnancy and delivery. In addition, increasing lean, metabolically-active muscle mass encourages healthy body composition and insulin responses, thereby reducing the risk of both infertility and, after becoming pregnant, gestational diabetes.6
A body mass index (BMI) lower than 18 to 19 as a result of chronic dieting, eating disorders, and over exercising, can lead to infertility due to hypothalamic amenorrhea and resulting anovulation.9 That said, regardless of the cause, increasing caloric intake and/or decreasing exercise to increase BMI typically restores ovulation.
Taking a prenatal vitamin (over-the-counter or prescription)when trying to get pregnant is critical to providing the body with the nutrients necessary for a healthy pregnancy. Folate prior to conception will help eliminate birth defects. In addition, fish oil is vital for healthy development, and for many women dietary intake may be inadequate. Many prenatal vitamins contain fish oil or omega-3 fatty acids. Research published in Obstetrical & Gynecological Survey shows that omega-3 fatty acids increase blood flow to the reproductive organs to aid conception in women dealing with infertility.10
In general, the OB-GYN generalist is well equipped to initiate a fertility work-up. They can refer couples with abnormal testing or complex issues, as well as heightened anxiety, to an infertility specialist (reproductive endocrinologist). Because time is of the essence, women over 40 with fertility concerns should see a specialist immediately. Keep in mind that the fertility work-up and treatment regimens can be stressful for most, and emotions are heightened; depression, anger, anxiety, and marital discord are not uncommon. A specialist often works with full team, including mental health support, as part of their in-office staff.
Since multiple factors are often at play, a complete initial diagnostic evaluation may be performed, including: a history and physical examination, blood work, imaging, cultures, and other testing. Both partners undergo evaluation concurrently. The same approach is used whether trying to conceive for the first time or attempting a subsequent pregnancy.
The following tests are typical, however this is not an exhaustive list:
In addition, the following hormonal blood tests for women are also performed:
If you’re still not ready to get pregnant, but think you may want to get pregnant in the future, you can ask your OB-GYN about embryo or egg cryopreservation options. This can be a good option for some women who want to delay starting or growing their family but have concerns about their fertility as they get older.
If you’re actively trying to get pregnant, be strong and positive — and consider this: the best surprise of all often comes when you’re least expecting it!
If these sound familiar to you, you are not alone.
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