Several factors (unrelated to infertility) can get on the way of conception happening fast. However, at any age, for any gender, ethnicity or social status, conception is a journey, and it can take time. But it is important to understand how long you’ve been trying, and evaluate your own fertility state so that you can assess whether it is within normal range or unusually long for your own context.
There is no specific timeline to conception, although most couples will get pregnant within one year - if they are healthy and have timely unprotected sex. While most women trying to conceive may achieve their goal of pregnancy within a few months, some others may not. If you’ve been trying to conceive for longer than one year but hasn’t succeeded so far, check the following:
Are you taking your age into account?
Women become less fertile as they grow older. The effect of age on men’s fertility is less clear. As some studies found: Women aged 19 to 26 can usually conceive within a year. Meanwhile, women aged between 35 to 39 can get pregnant after a year, but could take up to two years. This goes to say that as women grow older their ability to conceive faster declines, although it might take some time, it is still possible to get pregnant.
Are you having enough sex at the right time?
For the majority of people, regular sex is having unprotected sex once or twice a week. Some couples also believe in trying to have sex only when the woman ovulates. In reality, it is recommended that partners trying to conceive have sex about 3-4 times in the week especially during a woman’s fertile time, to maximize their chances of conception!
To have sex with the aim of conceiving can be stressful to many couples as this makes sex feel like a task, instead of an intimate pleasurable moment. Doing it at the right time can bring some ease of mind!
Knowing the right time to conceive is an additional advantage for couples to utilize in their conception journey. When you track your periods regularly on the Grace app, you can get personalized reminders to have sex at the best time in your cycle and increase your chances of conceiving.
Are you trying to conceive? Download GraceHealth App now and take the fertility test!
Are you feeling stressed?
It is said that women's stress levels can lower their chances of pregnancy. While stress can be common and part of people’s routines in certain parts of the world, it is never good for your general health. On top of that, in some cultures there's huge pressure on women, because the responsibility of conceiving ends up falling solely on themselves - instead of being shared between the two parts of the couple. If that is happening with you, read our latest blog post on “how to talk with your partner about conception”, and try to share some of your responsibilities. If you’re “just feeling stressed”, try to add some more exercise to your routine, as it can release good hormones to help you relax.
How are your lifestyle habits?
Sometimes, couples who are aiming to get pregnant need to adjust some of their usual lifestyle habits. For instance, both men and women should stop drinking and smoking if they do so. So, speaking of exercise, it is essential to maintain a good routine of moving your body. Try to drink plenty of fluids, keep exercising and maintaining a healthy weight. If a woman is under or overweight, that can affect the speed in which she is able to conceive. Keep in mind that drastic changes in weight can also influence your hormones and period, as your body needs time to adjust itself to your new weight. Women who’ve rapidly gained or lost a lot of weight can start having irregular periods for a while, or sometimes even stop having it for a short while.
Are you getting your period regularly?
Having your period is a sign that your ovulation is happening. Each month when you ovulate, your body releases an egg from your ovary to your fallopian tube. If the egg is not fertilized, it moves into the endometrium to the uterus, and then later is shed off as blood, that's why you menstruate. When your period presents irregularities, that could be a sign of an irregular ovulation pattern too. Not being able to know the exact days of your fertile window (especially when you are trying to get pregnant) can be frustrating! Although this may be an obstacle, it isn’t a sign that conception wouldn't happen - there's a chance though, that this can make your conception journey a bit more challenging, especially emotionally.
Read more about it in our post: Can irregular periods affect fertility?
Are you currently taking any medication?
Certain medications can impact your fertility, so it’s important to read the medication label (including approved and recommended uses for the drug, if safe to use while trying to conceive, potential adverse reactions, available formulations and dosage, and how to administer the drug) to ensure they won’t affect you.
Are you trying to conceive? Download GraceHealth App now and take the fertility test!
Do you know if your partner is healthy?
Your partner’s fertility is as relevant as yours when trying to conceive. As long as both partners are fertile, getting pregnant is possible. However, fertility should not be taken for granted: Habits, medical conditions or even by birth - man can become infertile too. Make sure that your partner’s fertility is tested too if you’re experiencing difficulties conceiving.
If you’re unsure of the state of your fertility and ability to conceive, take Grace’s fertility assessment in the app so that Grace can help you identify some of the factors that might be preventing conception, and provide guided recommendations to help you conceive faster! Download the Grace health app now.
Stay informed, stay in control - and keep calm!