Factors to Consider When You Are Trying to Conceive

For men and women who are trying to conceive, taking care of their sexual health is extremely important. There are a number of things that you should consider if you are trying for a baby and various factors that can affect your chances of conception.

Age can be an important factor, particularly in women, with older women often finding it more difficult to conceive if they leave it until later in their lives. Both women and men are at their most fertile when they are in their early twenties, and then this declines over time. Once a woman is over the age of 35, the quality of the eggs released by her ovaries has often declined, making it more difficult to fall pregnant, and to stay pregnant. Whilst male fertility also sees a decline from around the age of 40, men are often able to father children when they are in their 50s and 60s.

Whilst having children whilst you are younger is one of the main factors to consider, there are other things you can do to protect your wellbeing and increase your chances of fertility. Avoiding sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is important as these can damage your reproductive system.

Smoking can also be damaging to your overall wellness, and can reduce fertility. Men who smoke risk damage to their sperm, while women who smoke experience an earlier menopause than non-smokers.

Weight is also a contributing factor, and being overweight or being underweight can have effects on your chance of falling pregnant. There is also a syndrome known as polycystic ovary syndrome which can cause weight gain and can be linked to infertility, so it’s definitely worth contacting a GP if you feel there may be an underlying reason to your weight gain.

Women who are trying to get pregnant should also avoid drinking alcohol, as taking in any alcohol in the early stages of pregnancy can damage the foetus. Men should cut back on alcohol too, to avoid damaging their sperm.

Men can also help by keeping their testicles cool (i.e. by not wearing tight undergarments and avoiding hot baths or showers) as this keeps their sperm healthier.