It is impossible to predict how long it takes to get pregnant because it may take longer than planned for some women or may happen sooner for others.
There are several crucial elements that can alter your chances of getting pregnant, they include:
● Health and lifestyle
● Age
● Personal and family medical history
● Sexual intercourse frequency
Most couples can become pregnant within a year to six months. But, if you are unable to get pregnant after a year of trying, consulting with a fertility specialist would be better.
This article covers everything you need to know if your pregnancy is taking longer than anticipated.
What is the average time to get pregnant?
The best age to get pregnant is during your twenties when your healthy egg supply is at its highest. It occurs because the supply of eggs reduces or the quality of the remaining eggs is poor.
A study found your chances of getting pregnant within a three-month window is 12% at the age of 35. And by the age of 40, that percentage falls to 7%. Similarly, age also affects a man’s fertility, as the risk of genetic abnormalities in a man’s sperm increases with age.
Is infertility a common problem?
A study found that roughly 10–15% of Indian couples struggle to conceive or bring a pregnancy to term.
If you are 30 or younger and have been trying to get pregnant for more than a year (or six months if you are over 35), it is better to undergo an evaluation. A fertility doctor can assist in figuring out the cause of your difficulties and might suggest potential treatments to aid in conception.
Female infertility causes
About one-third of couples trying to conceive are affected by female infertility.
The most common explanation for infertility is ovulation failure when your ovary refuses to release an egg for fertilization. Hormonal conditions such as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), and pituitary or thyroid gland disorders can all contribute to ovulation failure.
Reproductive system disorders like fallopian tube blockage can prevent the egg from meeting the sperm. Endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), and ectopic pregnancy surgery are potential blockage causes.
Having trouble getting pregnant might also be a result of uterus issues. It could be the result of a deformed structure or growth like fibroids.
Women’s infertility may also be influenced by physical diseases, including obesity, anorexia nervosa, or excessive exercise.
Male infertility causes
About 8% of couples trying to get pregnant are affected by male infertility.
Male infertility has several causes, including:
● Sperm with abnormal shape
● Damage to the testicles that lowers sperm production
● Varicocele, or swollen veins on the testicles
● Complications with the glands producing the hormones necessary for sperm production
● Rarer genetic conditions like Klinefelter syndrome
● Use of drugs, smoking, or excessive alcohol
What are the treatments for infertility?
Depending on your age, health, and the cause of your fertility issue, fertility doctors may advise a range of treatments.
Medications
Numerous drugs are often used to encourage women’s ovaries to produce eggs or to aid infertile men by boosting sperm count:
● Clomiphene citrate
● Follicle-stimulating hormone
● Letrozole
● Human menopausal gonadotropin
● Metformin
● Bromocriptine
Surgery
Male and female infertility can both be treated with surgery. Men’s surgery can remove a sperm obstruction, treat a varicocele, or retrieve semen from the male reproductive system. It can be performed on women to treat uterus or ovarian structural issues.
Intrauterine insemination (IUI)
IUI, also known as artificial insemination, is the technique in which a male provides a sperm sample that is injected into a woman’s uterus via a catheter just as she is about to ovulate.
Assisted reproductive technology (ART)
In assisted reproductive technology (ART), the sperm and eggs are fertilized outside the body in a laboratory environment before placing the fused embryo inside the uterus. In vitro fertilization (IVF) is the most common kind of ART.
In IVF treatment, the woman receives a series of hormonal injections before the retrieval to aid in the production of many eggs by her ovaries. The eggs are surgically removed once they fully develop. The sperm from her boyfriend fertilizes the eggs. Embryos, developed from fertilized eggs, are raised in a lab for a few days. The uterus is then implanted with one or two high-quality embryos.
Aside from the well-known IVF treatment, other ARTs include:
● Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI): This technique involves injecting one healthy sperm into an egg.
● Assisted hatching: This method facilitates easier uterus implantation by opening the embryo’s cover.
● Gestational carrier: In this process, the baby is carried to term by another woman.
● Donor eggs or sperm: It involves obtaining eggs or sperm from a healthy donor if either is defective.
There’s no definite time to get pregnant. Getting pregnant could take a long time due to age or physical problems. Schedule an appointment with a fertility expert or visit a nearby IVF center for assistance.
