Why Am I Not Getting Pregnant?

Are you trying to conceive for a while now, but nothing is working? Are you wondering why you are not able to conceive? Or do you want to know the reasons for not getting pregnant even when everything is normal?

There may be many reasons, including structural problems of the reproductive tract or ovulation irregularities. You may feel everything is normal because infertility rarely has symptoms.

Reasons Why You Are Not Getting Pregnant

Potential causes or reasons for infertility include:

Not Utilizing The Fertile Period

For getting pregnant, sperm cells should be able to join with the egg during ovulation. Thus, the period around ovulation is the ideal time for trying to get pregnant.

If you aren't aware of your ovulation period, you may be trying during the wrong time of the cycle. Tracking your menstrual cycle and ovulation can help solve this problem.

Ovulation Problems

If your ovary cannot release the egg during your monthly cycle, it may be impossible to become pregnant. In this case, it is best to consult a fertility specialist. They will order some tests to understand why ovulation is not occurring.

Semen/Sperm Problems

Sperm quantity and quality matter a lot and can affect fertility. If your doctor suspects some problem, they may order semen analysis to confirm.

Age-Related Problems

It may be harder to produce children as one ages. This holds true for both men and women. The chance of conceiving reduces to one in ten after 40 compared to one in four in the early 20s. The chance of conceiving drastically reduces after 45.

Fallopian Tube Problems

If your fallopian tubes are blocked, eggs won't be able to reach the womb for fertilization and implantation.

Uterine (Womb) Problems

For a successful pregnancy, the fertilized egg should be able to implant on the womb lining. Abnormal womb shape or build-up of tissue in the womb may impede this process.

Birth Control

Some types of birth control can affect or delay fertility even when they are stopped. While methods like contraceptive pills and condoms don't impact fertility, contraceptive shots can delay fertility for months after stopping them.

Stress

Stress can impact your health both mentally and physically. This indirectly impacts your chances of getting pregnant. Other mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression, can affect fertility levels. Being stressed affects the part of your brain that releases hormones for regulating menstrual cycles.

You can try yoga, meditation, exercise, or see a psychologist to manage your stress levels.

Tight Undergarments

Many women use tight undergarments to accentuate their body figures. However, this may affect the reproductive organs. It may also cause vaginal infections. In men, wearing tight undergarments may lead to altered sperm production.

To avoid this, wear well-fitted cotton undergarments. This will prevent moisture-related problems and allow your private parts to relax and breathe.

Sleep Problems

Sleep deprivation may cause you to exhaust and affect the functioning of your immune system. All this increases your risk of getting an infection and affects the menstrual cycle. In men, these infections could damage the sperm.

So, it's vital to get adequate seven to eight hours of sleep. If you have insomnia or other sleep problems, it is best to consult a doctor and get it treated.

Being Over Or Underweight

Being too thin or fat affects your chances of getting pregnant. Being overweight affects your fertility. And if you are underweight, you may not ovulate well. So, try and maintain a normal weight for your height and age.

Maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle to avoid these problems.

Overuse Of Lubrication

Studies have shown that overuse of vaginal lubricants affects sperm movement, interfering with fertilization. This is because the pH of cervical secretion is ideal for sperm and its movement. However, many lubricants are acidic, which may kill sperm. Besides, the thickness of a lubricant may also affect sperm movement.

Foreplay is the best lubricant. If that doesn't work, you can use coconut oil as it doesn't affect sperm movement and is non-toxic to them.

Unhealthy Lifestyle Choices

Some lifestyle problems that can affect your fertility include drinking, caffeine, smoking, and drug abuse. In females, these factors affect ovulation, and in men, it affects sperm movement and counts.

If you have these habits, quit them at least some months before you plan to get pregnant. Switch to healthier lifestyle choices, such as a healthy diet and exercise.

Environmental Population

Environmental toxins can harm both men and women. Pollutants such as pesticides, plastics, chemicals, cigarette smoke, and personal care products such as cosmetics and shampoos can affect your health. Studies show that these pollutants can reduce the chance of getting pregnant by about 30%.

So, it is best to avoid these pollutants whenever possible. Choose organic foods and avoid the use of pesticides for lawns and plants. Try and use natural and organic personal care products.

Other Medical Conditions

Reasons for not getting pregnant

Irregular Periods

Women with irregular periods find it more difficult to conceive than the general population. Your doctor will help you find the underlying cause and help treat it accordingly.

Endometriosis

It is a long-standing condition that causes the uterine lining to grow outside the womb. It can prevent fertilization or block the fallopian tubes or make the environment unhealthy for the egg to grow.

Endometriosis may also cause painful or irregular periods, painful penetration, frequent urination, and painful bowel movements.

Fortunately, many treatment options are available for endometriosis, including surgery.

Low Hormonal Levels

The hormone progesterone aids in the implantation of the fertilized egg during early pregnancy. A low level of this hormone is one of the reasons for infertility. Even if you conceive, it may lead to miscarriage.

A reproductive endocrinologist or a fertility expert may be able to help you. Treatment options include progesterone injections, supplements, or suppositories.

Cervical Mucus Problems

The usual consistency of cervical secretion is elastic and clear, allowing free sperms into the female reproductive organs. In the presence of cervical mucus abnormalities, it may prevent sperm movement or even kill them.

Identifying the causes, such as infections, treating them, and using assisted reproductive methods can help improve fertility.

PCOS

It is a complex condition that causes hormonal imbalance and ovulation problems which is called PCOS. Small cysts are formed that prevents the maturation of the follicle for ovulation.

Treatment options include lifestyle changes to control weight, medicines to stimulate ovulation, and assisted reproductive techniques such as IVF.

Anemia Or Low Hemoglobin Levels

Studies have shown that iron deficiency causes ovulation problems and reduces the chance of getting pregnant by 60%.

Unexplained Infertility

About 25% of all infertility cases have no identified cause, even after carrying out a range of assessments and tests. Assisted methods of reproduction, such as IVF may help.

Combined Infertility

In such cases, both partners are diagnosed with fertility problems. Your doctor will help manage the underlying condition to improve your chances of getting pregnant.

Conclusion

If you find it difficult to get pregnant, please understand that help is available. Many couples prefer waiting without taking any treatment. As age progresses, the chance of getting pregnant further decreases. So, the sooner you get help, the more likely the treatment will work for you.

At Medicover Fertility, we are committed to achieving superior pregnancy outcomes and delivering patient-centric treatment options. We will be happy to assist you.

Frequently Asked Questions