For some women, just walking past a pair of boxer shorts hanging on the clothesline is all it takes to get pregnant! But for others, the struggle to conceive is a persistent reality.
What many women don’t realize is that this difficulty in getting pregnant can stem from reasons they might never have imagined. Reasons that can be simple, but also more complex, such as hydrosalpinx, which is an accumulation of hostile fluids in the fallopian tubes and even the cervix caused by some infection.
The truth is that difficulty getting pregnant should be investigated as soon as possible. Most doctors say that a year of trying is a reasonable timeframe for natural conception.
If that timeframe stretches on, something may be wrong and could compromise the fertility of the couple hoping for a baby. So, where to start?
Difficulties in getting pregnant can come from one partner or even both. The most common causes of infertility include:
- Polycystic ovaries
- Blocked fallopian tubes
- Intramural fibroids
- Endometriosis
- Hydrosalpinx
- Uterine infections
- Unfavorable cervical mucus
- Anovulation
The most common factor for those having trouble getting pregnant is certainly anovulation. Without ovulation, pregnancy cannot happen, right? So a hormone test is ideal before investigating anything else.
If anovulation is the case, the doctor will recommend treatment with ovulation inducers and other hormone replacements to get everything working so the woman can conceive.
Tip: For women trying to conceive who have trouble identifying their cervical mucus or who suffer from vaginal dryness, fertility-friendly lubricating gels like FamiGel can be used. They mimic the role of cervical mucus and even increase sperm motility, boosting the chances of conception.
For this to happen, the couple should look for a trusted gynecologist. Once investigations into the causes of infertility begin, the doctor will likely order an ultrasound along with these blood tests. Hormone tests include:
- Progesterone
- Estrogen
- FSH
- LH
- Prolactin
- T4 and T3 (thyroid)
If everything looks good hormonally, the next focus is on the uterus. The doctor will check for polycystic ovaries, endometriosis, or fallopian tube adhesions. If everything seems normal and nothing unusual is detected, more time trying is advised.
If the couple still doesn’t conceive, it may be determined that they have unexplained infertility. This type of infertility could be due to timing issues—such as having intercourse at the wrong phase of the cycle—or even a more complex issue such as hostile cervical mucus, for example.
If the couple has been thoroughly assessed and nothing is found, it’s a personal decision how to proceed. Some doctors suggest options in addition to ovulation induction, such as timed intercourse. Beyond that, artificial insemination or even IVF may be considered.
A factor that is drawing increasing attention, with more and more confirmed cases, is anxiety. Sometimes the difficulty in conceiving can be psychological! Anxiety takes over the woman or the couple, making everything feel harder. One month can feel like a year, which makes things much more difficult.
Staying calm is an invaluable tip for this trying time for couples. Another important tip is to trust the doctor you’re consulting—sometimes we worry if the professional is truly doing everything they can.
It is not normal to be trying for over a year without getting pregnant—a full investigation should be done! How do you know if the doctor is good? Trust your instincts! If they’ve ordered all the necessary tests and seem genuinely interested in helping, that’s a good sign too.
If something is diagnosed that prevents pregnancy, don’t worry. Medicine is becoming more advanced every day, but we shouldn’t forget to do our part. Eat well, have any necessary tests, and have sex during your fertile window!
See also: Trying to Conceive – What to Do to Help with Conception
