You made the big decision to grow your family. You started trying for a baby. But now it turns out that getting pregnant isn’t as easy as you expected.
Whether it’s been a few months or a few years, struggling to get pregnant isn’t easy. It’s complex, emotional, and frustrating, but you’re not alone. In fact, infertility affects up to 15% of American couples.
That being said, every couple and every individual is different. It’s not always easy to know when you should give it more time or make an appointment with a fertility specialist.
Our compassionate team at ObGyne Birth Center for Natural Deliveries, led by board-certified OB/GYN Bola Sogade, MD, is here to help you find answers. We work with women of all ages, and we offer comprehensive infertility evaluations and personalized fertility treatments.
If you’re struggling to get pregnant, here’s what you need to know.
For pregnancy to occur, sperm must fertilize an egg and that egg must implant itself in the lining of your uterus. The process might sound simple, but many complex factors influence fertilization and implantation.
About a third of infertility cases are linked to the female partner’s health. Another third are linked to the male partner’s health, while the final third are either a combination of female and male factors or unknown factors.
There are a few common causes of female infertility, including:
PCOS is a hormonal imbalance that interferes with ovulation. Around 10% of women have PCOS during their reproductive years, and it’s a leading cause of infertility because it makes ovulation and menstruation irregular.
PCOS can make you ovulate infrequently or not at all. Since ovulation is necessary for egg fertilization, you may have a hard time getting pregnant if you have PCOS.
Endometriosis affects about 11% of women during their reproductive years. It occurs when the lining of your uterus (endometrium) starts growing elsewhere in your body, and it can also cause infertility.
The endometrium may grow on your ovaries, fallopian tubes, and other reproductive organs. It can be painful, but it can also block your reproductive organs and make fertilization or implantation very difficult.
Many women are having children later in life, and your age can affect your fertility. Due to hormonal changes, fertility begins declining as early as age 30.
Women older than 35 often have greater difficulty getting pregnant naturally and may benefit from fertility evaluation sooner than younger women.
Numerous other factors influence your fertility, too. If you’ve been trying to get pregnant without success, schedule an appointment with our team to find out what could be affecting your ability to conceive.
On average, the odds that a woman conceives naturally in any given month are 15%-25%. Around 85% of couples get pregnant within about one year of having regular unprotected sex.
Consider making an infertility appointment if you’re under age 35 and you’ve been trying to get pregnant for a year. If you’re 35 or older, consider making an appointment after six months of trying.
If you have a gynecologic condition like PCOS, endometriosis, or a history of miscarriage, don’t wait to schedule an appointment to discuss your fertility.
We work to identify the underlying cause of your fertility issues with a physical exam and thorough review of your medical history. Then we develop a treatment plan to improve your chances of getting pregnant.
If needed, we can refer you to fertility specialists for more advanced care.
Don’t put your dreams of growing your family on hold. Book an appointment at ObGyne Birth Center for Natural Deliveries in Forsyth, Georgia, to learn more about infertility and your treatment options.
