Your Fertility Explained: What To Expect And How To Boost Your Conception Chances

Are you thinking about having a baby sometime soon? Perhaps you’d like to have kids at some point in the distant future. Or maybe you’ve been trying for a few months and are starting to wonder why it’s not working. Regardless of the stage you’re at in your journey, this article can help you understand what fertility is when you’re most fertile, and how you can boost your fertility even before you head to the doctor’s office.

What is fertility?

Female fertility refers to the ability to conceive a child. It begins after puberty with the start of ovulation and menstruation. Fertility declines as women age. A woman’s reproductive years end about five to ten years before menopause. Menopause occurs once a woman has gone for at least a year without a period. In the United States, the average age of menopause is 51.

When is a woman most fertile?

After puberty, a woman’s fertility increases until it reaches its peak during her 20s. During her 30s, it begins to decline, dipping especially after age 35. Past the age of 40, it can be challenging to become pregnant and successfully bring a pregnancy to term.

There are also certain days each month when a woman is more fertile. The menstrual cycle lasts about 28 days on average. Within that cycle, there are approximately six days when you are at your most fertile – the day you ovulate (when your ovary releases an egg) and the five days beforehand. There’s an easy way to find this window. For example, you can track your period for several months, and then subtract 18 days from the end of your shortest cycle and 11 days from the end of your longest. That’s the time of the month when you’re most fertile.

You can use Beginning.com’s ovulation tracker to monitor your most fertile days!

What causes fertility issues?

Age plays an increasingly important role in fertility issues as more and more women delay having children until they are in their 30s. Women are born with all the eggs they will ever have, unlike men, who can produce sperm throughout their life. As women age, the quantity and quality of their eggs decrease. If you have been having unprotected sex for at least a year without becoming pregnant – or six months if you’re over the age of 35 – you may want to consult a doctor.

Some medical conditions also cause female fertility problems, such as endometriosis, uterine fibroids, pelvic scar tissue, and ovulation disorders, like polycystic ovary syndrome. Long-term health conditions such as diabetes, thyroid problems, and high blood pressure can also affect fertility. You’ll want to see a doctor if you suspect underlying medical issues may be causing your fertility issues.

When to see a doctor

Dealing with infertility can be a long process. And because many women feel ashamed if they’re unable to conceive, it can also be a lonely process. If you have any questions or concerns, see a doctor or fertility specialist to help you find the best possible course of treatment. According to the U.S. Office on Women’s Health, around 10 percent of women struggle with getting pregnant, so you are definitely not alone!

What about male fertility?

When it comes to infertility, women experience most of the pressure. However, research has found that in 40% of cases, men are the main cause of infertility. The most typical factors that lead to male infertility have to do with how testicles work. Medical conditions, hormonal imbalances, lifestyle choices, and age-related factors are also to blame.

4 ways to boost fertility naturally

When people think of fertility treatments, most minds jump to medical interventions like in vitro fertilization. However, depending on your age and medical history, natural fertility boosters may do the trick. An overall healthy lifestyle can go a long way to promoting your fertility. Here are four natural ways to boost fertility.

1. Try to maintain a healthy weight

Being overweight or underweight can affect ovulation. Obesity is linked to a lack of ovulation and a decrease in egg quality. However, strenuous exercise can also inhibit ovulation, which is why elite female athletes may have infrequent or irregular periods. You may need to limit strenuous exercise to a few hours a week if you are trying to become pregnant.

2. Don’t smoke and limit your alcohol intake

If you didn’t have enough reasons to quit before, definitely quit smoking if you hope to become pregnant. Not only does smoking increase your risk for certain types of cancer, but it also prematurely ages your ovaries. Eliminating alcohol completely is also a good idea if you plan on becoming pregnant. Scientists haven’t yet come to an agreement on a safe level of fetal alcohol consumption, so most recommend avoiding alcohol entirely during conception and pregnancy.

3. Change your diet to include more high-fat dairy and replace some animal protein with vegetable protein

Several studies have found a correlation between dietary choices and fertility. One study found that women who consumed more low-fat dairy had higher rates of infertility. Switching skim milk to whole milk or replacing low-fat yogurt with a full-fat version could help boost your intake of high-fat dairy.

Another study looked at the relationship between the consumption of animal proteins (e.g. beef and chicken) and vegetable proteins (e.g. beans and nuts). It found that women who consumed 5% of total energy intake as vegetable protein rather than as animal protein had a 50% lower risk of ovulatory infertility.

4. Reduce your stress levels

Dealing with infertility is stressful. If you’ve been trying for a while, you may feel frustrated, sad, and disappointed every month when your period arrives. Reducing stress might sound like it’s easier said than done. Yet long-term stress and high levels of anxiety can wreak havoc on your hormones and decrease your likelihood of becoming pregnant.

There are a number of things you can try to reduce your stress levels. You can try a gentle activity such as walking or yoga to help clear your mind and get your body moving. If you need something you can do at home, try sound therapy. Sound therapy can take the form of relaxing music, natural sounds, or guided meditations to help you relax and destress. Even taking a few moments to yourself to read a book or visit a friend can help reduce anxiety levels.

The ultimate sound therapy experience for fertility

Beginning.com has created a one-of-a-kind sound therapy experience for your fertility journey. The sessions incorporate powerful sound technology and mind-body science. To prepare you for conception, our team of music therapists, sound engineers, psychologists, and, of course, veteran mothers, have selected the most beautiful and soothing sounds and transformed them into “sound journeys”.

As you listen, you will enjoy a spatially accurate soundscape, making you feel as if you were in the middle of a pristine beach or tropical forest. The sounds will banish subconscious fears, doubts, and a lack of confidence. They will promote a positive reaction in your mind and body, which will be critical for a healthy and joyful conception.

Listen to FERTILITY to:

• De-stress
• Clear your mind of doubt
• Gain trust in your body
• Inspire a sense of joy
• Cultivate a positive mindset

Want to learn more?

If you would like to learn more about female fertility, make sure to check out Beginning.com’s daily feed and masterclasses. We recommend tuning in to the “All you Need to Know About Fertility” and “Fertility and Nutrition” masterclasses to get even more insights on this topic.