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Are you planning to conceive, but have failed despite many attempts? This is because conception is a process that calls for more trials before you finally succeed. You should know that there are some medical facts which keep coming in your way of getting pregnant.

It is estimated that globally around 60 to 80 million couples suffer from infertility annually, of which between 15 to 20 million are in India alone, according to an ICMR Bulletin. 

When everything else fails and you think that the in vitro fertilisation or IVF may be the only option for you to opt, but before considering anything know some facts that can hinder your chances of conception:

1 Decline in the number of healthy eggs

You are born with a fixed number of eggs. However, the number declines as you age and so does the health of those eggs. According to The American Society of Reproductive Medicine, even a healthy and fertile 30-year-old woman’s chances of getting pregnant reduce by 20 per cent with each passing month.  The ugly truth is consumption of fertility drugs, without consulting an expert, further decreases the numbers and aren’t of much help. In case you want to delay pregnancy and want to keep your eggs in good health till conception, you should probably try freezing your eggs for future use.

What you can do: Optimise the health of your eggs. To do so, stay healthy, maintain a good optimal weight and give up vices. Quit smoking and limit alcohol intake when planning for a baby. Never take drugs for egg formation unless undergoing an IVF treatment. Get in touch with a good fertility centre if you need help, and try to complete your family before 35 years of age without delaying the process to avoid future complications.

2 Your partner might have a problem

Remember, your partner’s health plays a significant role in conception. Male infertility is responsible for up to one-third of infertility cases. If your partner is overweight, an alcoholic or a smoker, it could be affecting your chances of getting pregnant. An infection or inflammation of the prostate glands could be a probable cause.

What you can do: Talk to your partner. Convince him for a check-up; a physical examination and semen analysis might be necessary to check on your partner’s health status. Medications, intrauterine insemination IUI or IVF might be suggested depending on the problem. At home, encourage him to have a lot of citrus fruits and anti-oxidant rich foods to boast fertility. 

3 You are not ovulating

If you have infrequent menstrual periods, increased growth of hair on face, chest and stomach, these are likely symptoms of PCOS, which is also known as polycystic ovary syndrome. It causes irregular menstrual cycles and an increase in male hormones, affects about 5 to 10 per cent of women and is one of the most common reasons behind women not ovulating. Also, being overweight, alcoholic or having a thyroid imbalance also affects your ovulation.

What you can do: Maintain and sustain a healthy body weight. This is one of the best ways to improve your fertility. If you know you don’t ovulate, get in touch with an infertility specialist for it. 

4 Endometriosis, a medical condition

Endometriosis is a common disorder that has emotional consequences for women. This disorder is currently affecting about 89 million young women in the reproductive age group worldwide, out of which 25 million are Indian women. It causes the lining of the uterine cavity to appear in the abdominal cavity, which can cause painful periods, heavy bleeding, and infertility in 30 to 50 percent of women. You can say that it is the main reason for stomach pain and inability to conceive in women between 25 to 30 years of age.

What you can do: Getting pregnant is a challenge when you are suffering from endometriosis, so seek treatment as soon as you plan to get pregnant. Young women with endometriosis who want to conceive may require specialised treatments like IUI or IVF.

5 Blocked fallopian tubes

When the fallopian tubes are blocked or damaged, infertility occurs. Tubal factor infertility can be caused by a previous surgery, endometriosis or an STD. Sexually transmitted diseases, especially Chlamydia, will contribute to tubal factor infertility years later. 

What you can do: Make sure the tubes are open, otherwise there’s no way for sperm and egg to communicate. Your doctor can screen well for tubal factor with an x-ray and if the tubes are blocked, consider IVF. This way you can deal with issues of conception.

Inputs by Dr Shobha Gupta, medical director and IVF specialist, Mother’s Lap IVF Centre