When you are trying to conceive, the arrival of your period can be very disappointing. Whereas once you may have been relieved to see your period, now it means one thing. No baby yet. It also means you must start the process of attempting to conceive all over again. Trying to have a baby can elicit a rollercoaster ride of emotions as you wait and hope. But how long is too long to wait? When is it time to seek the medical advice of an infertility specialist? I have been on this personal journey of trying to get pregnant and then experiencing infertility for several years before giving birth to my now teenage son. In this post I am going to share my experience as well as provide some facts and statistics on the odds of becoming pregnant by age. We are also going to answer the question of how long to wait before seeking help from a physician specializing in fertility issues.
Which factors can affect my odds of getting pregnant?
Your chances of conceiving during any given cycle are dependent upon numerous factors. Some of these variables include:
• The frequency that you and your partner engage in sexual intercourse.
• How long ago you have stopped using birth control methods especially birth control pills.
• Whether or not you smoke tobacco, drink alcohol, or use recreational drugs.
• If you have a history or symptoms of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).
• If you have a history of thyroid disease.
• If you have had any previous abnormal PAP smears.
• If you have any history of eating disorders including anorexia or obesity.
• If you suffer from endometriosis.
• If you are having irregular periods and/or difficulty ovulating.
These are just some of the factors and conditions which can impact upon your ability to conceive. For a full list of these factors please refer to Health Central’s Guide to the Diagnosis of Female Infertility.
In addition to these possible underlying conditions, your age is also a considerable variable to consider with regard to your chances of getting pregnant.
How does my age affect my ability to conceive?
The general rule of thumb is that as we age it may become more difficult to conceive. These odds become markedly more diminished after the age of thirty-five. The literature provides varied statistics on the odds of becoming pregnant at different ages primarily because every woman is different. Some women have great difficulty getting pregnant in their twenties due to some underlying fertility issue while some women have little to no difficulty become pregnant even in their forties. The one piece of wisdom that I have gained in my experience with attempting to conceive is that fertility isn’t fair. There are no guarantees when it comes to having a baby. Statistics only show the trend for the general population and these numbers may or may not pertain to your unique situation.
