Cracking the Code of Conception: Expert Tips to Enhance Fertility
I’ll be direct: we’re traditionally taught that sex creates babies. While this may be generally accurate since sexual activity can involve the release of seminal fluid into the vaginal tract, most day-to-day human sexual interactions do NOT yield pregnancy. This is especially important for aspiring parents to keep in mind—just because you can’t achieve pregnancy via sexual activity, that does not mean conception is out of reach or impossible.
For those experiencing trouble achieving pregnancy, modern technology can help make their dreams of conceiving a baby come true. At the Nevada Fertility Institute, patients have many choices to guide them toward creating life, utilizing our proven methods and medical expertise. But first, let’s understand the issues that may arise during procreation.
Types of Fertility Obstacles: Navigating the Complex Path to Parenthood
Despite what many people think, the process of becoming a parent is far from linear—it can come with numerous complications, setbacks, and challenges. Many biological factors—such as pre-existing medical conditions, hormonal imbalances, and age-related changes to the body—can impact the ability to conceive. While these issues are by no means impossible, understanding them is key to finding a solution.
A. Medical Conditions:
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): PCOS is a common hormonal disorder affecting women of reproductive age. It can disrupt ovulation due to irregular hormone levels and the formation of tiny cysts on the ovaries. This condition often leads to irregular menstrual cycles and challenges in conceiving.
Endometriosis: Endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus, often causing pain, inflammation, and adhesions. It can lead to fertility problems by affecting the structure and function of the reproductive organs.
Male Factor Infertility: Male factor infertility can stem from low sperm count, poor sperm motility, or abnormal sperm morphology. These factors can hinder the fertilization of eggs and reduce the chances of a successful conception.
B. Hormonal Imbalances:
Irregular Ovulation: Hormonal imbalances, such as disruptions in the production of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), can result in irregular ovulation. This irregularity makes it difficult to predict the fertile window and optimal time for intercourse.
Low Sperm Count: Low sperm count, or oligospermia, is a common male infertility factor that can significantly impact the likelihood of fertilization. Various factors can cause oligospermia, including hormonal imbalances, genetic factors, and lifestyle choices.
C. Age-Related Factors:
Decline in Egg Quality and Quantity: As women age, the quantity and quality of their eggs gradually decline. This decrease in ovarian reserve can lead to diminished fertility and an increased risk of embryo chromosomal abnormalities.
Impact on Male Fertility: While the decline in male fertility with age is less dramatic than in women, advanced paternal age can still affect sperm quality and contribute to fertility challenges. Older men may have an increased risk of genetic mutations and a potential decline in semen quality.
D. Recurrent Miscarriages:
Underlying Causes and Emotional Toll: Recurrent miscarriages, defined as two or more consecutive pregnancy losses, can be emotionally devastating. Genetic abnormalities, hormonal imbalances, or uterine structural issues may contribute to lost pregnancies. If you are experiencing recurrent miscarriages, begin by identifying the underlying cause. Remember that while these losses may profoundly impact your mental well-being, your goals of growing your family are not out of reach.
Navigating fertility obstacles requires a comprehensive understanding of the various factors that impact conception. While these challenges can be daunting, advances in reproductive medicine and assisted reproductive technologies offer hope for couples facing a wide variety of fertility struggles. Seeking professional medical advice, adopting a healthy lifestyle, and maintaining open communication are essential steps in overcoming these obstacles and realizing the dream of parenthood.
The Disruptors: Factors that Affect Fertility
Chemicals that interfere with our hormonal system can negatively affect our reproduction ability. These are known as endocrine disruptors, and they can be found in some of the foods we eat regularly, in the packaging of our foods, in some containers, and even in cosmetics. Being mindful of what we put into and on our bodies is critical to the health of eggs and sperm and the ability to carry a pregnancy safely. Before making your first appointment with a fertility specialist, take a quick inventory of the main factors affecting your hormonal system—and thus your ability to conceive.
Check Your Lifestyle
The things you do with your body can adversely affect the normal functioning of your body system. You must evaluate your current lifestyle and try to change any unhealthy habits you identify. This includes assessing and evaluating your diet: it should be a balanced diet full of whole grains, omega fatty acids, water, and low to moderate carbohydrates. Other lifestyle factors include maintaining a regular exercise schedule and getting enough sleep.
Consider Your Age
At first glance, age can seem like a limiting factor in some fertility issues. However, in recent years, clinicians have developed various solutions to circumvent this issue. So, while age might pose some challenges to conception, you can pursue several resources to get your pregnancy journey back on track. The modern technologies available at Dr. Duke’s Las Vegas-based fertility clinic can aid couples in overcoming this factor.
Trace Your Family History
Problems with conceiving can also stem from inherited factors. As a start, ask your close relatives about any potential health conditions in the family. Take note if anyone in your family has had previous issues related to the reproductive system, including loss of pregnancies or newborn children. Many of these issues are inheritable, and recognizing them can help specialists understand the nature of your problem.
Having Doubts? Just Remember B.A.B.Y.
Trying for a baby can be a challenging experience. If you find yourself losing hope or doubting your chances, you’re not alone—thousands of hopeful parents deal with fertility issues every year. However, you can still reach your family goal through education and action. If you’re experiencing doubts about your pregnancy journey, look to our acronym, B.A.B.Y.
Believe It Will Happen
Sometimes, pregnancy requires many attempts—and even clinical intervention. While frustration can build up with all those negative pregnancy tests, you must keep focused on the goal at hand. The second we stop believing in our potential, we lose the will to try—not just in pregnancy, but in life. Resist the urge to give up or surrender to the assumption that it can never happen.
Furthermore, stress can significantly hamper your fertility efforts. While anxiety alone is not believed to cause infertility, we know that stress leads to changes in the hormone cortisol, which can interfere with the hormones responsible for orchestrating the processes that can help make pregnancy happen. You can find ways to maintain a balanced life through healthy outlets like meditation, journaling, yoga, painting, dancing, or playing music.
Ask for Professional Help
While maintaining a healthy mindset is crucial, some fertility issues can only be resolved with clinical intervention. Seeking out professional help early on can spare you a lot of stress and anxiety. You should also consider choosing the best medical professional for your fertility problem. In Las Vegas, the Nevada Fertility Institute, headed by me, Dr. Cindy Duke, is one of the providers of world-class fertility care. With our latest technological developments and excellent care, you will feel like your goals of achieving pregnancy are as personal to our specialists as those goals are to you.
Be Honest
Sometimes, patients will opt to report on potential lifestyle choices that can impact fertility falsely. Elsewhere, patients might feel uncomfortable discussing private matters with their doctor. However, being honest with your medical professional will only increase your chances of finding a solution. Your doctor needs a complete understanding of your body and lifestyle to diagnose your fertility issue properly. Also, following the medications and treatments your doctor prescribes makes a positive difference for you, allowing them to assess whether they’re truly working. Build confidence with your fertility specialist because they only want the best for you.
Yes, to Modern Technology
Modern fertility techniques are excellent options for people experiencing difficulty while trying to conceive. Thanks to the many advances in modern techniques, medicine can respond to your current healthcare needs with options as straightforward as ovulation induction to IUI, IVF, or gestational carriers (surrogates).
According to a 2018 analysis from the New York Times, married women in San Francisco have their first child at an average age of 32.9. Although the national average stands at 26.6, even that age is more advanced compared to the 1970 data, where the average age at which a woman had her first child was 21.4.
Using the mnemonics B.A.B.Y to remember these four insights, remember that the idea of conception, while challenging, is not impossible.
In my practice, I’ve seen countless patients overcome fertility issues to reach their goals of becoming a parent. If you’re encountering problems conceiving, begin with a rudimentary understanding of the potential causes or conditions. Once you book an appointment with a specialist, ensure you have a solid understanding of your body, including family history, lifestyle and dietary choices, and age-related impacts. Through it all, though, if you ever find yourself losing hope, remember that infertility is a highly treatable condition. Keep trying—and you will find a solution that fits your needs.