Female Fertility

Overview

For a woman wanting to get pregnant, it is quite obvious to wonder about their fertility and if there are ways to improve it. Among factors influencing fertility, few are beyond a person’s control, like any medical issues affecting their fertility conditions. However, a woman may have control over some factors like their lifestyle choices, the age they are conceiving, etc., that can also affect their fertility.

What is female fertility?

Female fertility is a woman's ability to conceive her biological child. When a couple has been trying to conceive with frequent, unprotected sex for at least a year, or at least six months with the woman being older than 35, without any success, they should consider talking to a doctor about their fertility.

What can cause female fertility problems?

  • Ovulation disorders: In this condition, a woman faces difficulties with the release of her eggs from the ovaries. These may happen due to a variety of reasons like hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), hyperprolactinemia, etc.
  • Uterine or cervical disorders: This may happen due to polyps or uterine fibroids.
  • Fallopian tube blockage/damage: This may happen due to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
  • Endometriosis: In this condition little sections of the uterine lining, also known as the endometrium, begin to grow in areas other than a woman’s womb, like the ovaries. 
  • Early menopause: In this condition, the ovaries stop working and menstruation ends before age the age of 40.
  • Pelvic adhesions: In this condition bands of scar tissues start to bind a woman’s organs after they have encountered conditions like appendicitis, pelvic infection, and abdominal or pelvic surgeries.
  • Other medical conditions: Women may also experience fertility complications as a result of medical issues related to the absence of menstruation, including poorly managed diabetes, celiac disease, and some autoimmune illnesses like lupus. 
  • Age: A woman’s age may also impact her fertility conditions. Delaying pregnancy may make it more difficult for them to conceive.

What are the ways to improve female fertility?

Making healthy lifestyle decisions can support fertility. A woman should keep in mind the following:

  • Practice safe sex: Chlamydia and gonorrhoea are two sexually transmitted diseases that are major contributors to infertility in women.
  • Maintaining a healthy weight: Normal ovulation can be hampered if a woman is overweight or considerably underweight. 
  • Avoiding night shift: Working the night shift frequently may increase a woman's chance of infertility, perhaps by altering their hormone production. If a woman does work the night shift, she should make an effort to get enough rest during her free time.
  • Avoiding stress: Even if stress does not prevent a woman from becoming pregnant, she should nonetheless think about reducing stress and employing healthy coping mechanisms like relaxation techniques while trying to conceive. 

What should be avoided to improve female fertility?

To improve fertility a woman should consider the following healthy lifestyle choices:

  • Avoid smoking: Lower fertility is related to tobacco usage. Smoking prematurely ages a woman's ovaries and reduces her egg supply. If a woman who smokes is trying to conceive, they should ask their doctor immediately to help them quit.
  • Avoid alcohol consumption: Several ovulation abnormalities are linked to heavy drinking. A woman should abstain from alcohol entirely if she wants to become pregnant.
  • Reduce caffeine consumption: Female fertility is not known to be affected by caffeine consumption below 200 milligrams per day. However, a woman should consider limiting her daily caffeine intake while trying to conceive.
  • Limit Daily exercise: Too much intense exercise can prevent ovulation and lower progesterone levels in a woman’s body. If a woman with a healthy weight is considering getting pregnant, she should think about keeping rigorous exercise to fewer than five hours per week.

Conclusion

If a woman is trying to conceive but is concerned about any medical issues she might have or the impact of her lifestyle choices on her fertility, she should consult a doctor. A doctor can help her identify any reason that may be affecting her fertility and also help her with ways to improve her fertility.

Consult the best doctors at Apollo Fertility Clinic, Amritsar!

1. What indicates that a girl has started her reproductive years?

A girl becomes capable of reproducing in her adolescent years after puberty when her menstruation and ovulation start to happen.

2. Can a woman get pregnant after attaining menopause?

A woman is no longer able to get pregnant after menopause. In general, women's reproductive potential decrease with age, and it is known that fertility will end 5 to 10 years before menopause.

3. Are there any pollutants that a woman should avoid exposure to while trying to conceive?

Yes, a woman should avoid environmental pollutants and toxins like lead, pesticides, dry-cleaning solvents, etc., as they may adversely affect her fertility.

4. Can the use of illegal substances lead to infertility?

Yes, using illegal drugs like cocaine and marijuana can result in infertility, including problems with ovulation.

5. How common is female infertility?

Female infertility is known to affect 1 in 10 women between the ages of 15 and 44.

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