Fertility explained

For many couples, conceiving happens both naturally and easily, but this is not the case for a large number of the population. It is thought that about 1 in 7 couples have problems with fertility and hence conceiving. Problems conceiving were previously attributed solely to the woman but it is now known that in about 20% of cases the reasons are solely down to the man.

In order to understand the problems associated with conception, a basic understanding of what happens during conceiving is helpful:

• Ovulation: Hormones released by the body (F.S.H AND L.H) stimulate an egg to be released from the ovaries.
• The egg travels from the ovaries down the Fallopian tubes and it is here were fertilisation occurs.
• During sexual intercourse, when the man ejaculates, roughly 300 million sperm are released into the vagina.
• Once inside the vagina the sperm then begin their difficult journey. They have to travel through the vagina, then the cervix then proceed through the Uterus and finally into the Fallopian tubes.
• Only a small percentage of the 300 million or so sperm that started out on this journey reach this far.
• Even on contact with an egg in the Fallopian tube, the chances of conception are still small. The sperm must penetrate the outer covering of the egg in order to complete fertilisation.
• Once fertilised the embryo starts dividing while it slowly moves towards the womb.
• The embryo implants itself in the lining of the womb and then the baby starts to grow.

 
Reasons for infertility:

Female Infertility: Account for 40% of infertility cases.

• Women’s ovaries not producing eggs.
• Damaged fallopian tubes (often caused by Chlamydia) that carry the eggs from the ovaries to the womb.
• Various gynaecological conditions: E.g. Fibroids and Endometriosis.

Male Infertility: Account for about 20% of infertility cases.

• Low sperm count (Oligozoospermia: less than 2 million sperm per ejaculate).
• Poor sperm motility / movement(Asthenozoospermia).
• Abnormal sperm (Teratazoospermia).
• Disease of the testicles.
• Problems with ejaculation /erectile dysfunction.
• Genetic problems.

In approximately 40% of cases no known cause is found for either the man or woman.

Increasing your chances of conceiving:

Male: Fertility:

• Wear loose boxer shorts and avoid tight fitting jeans.
• Stop smoking.
• Reduce or ideally stop drinking alcohol.
• Avoid cycling excessively.
• Avoid saunas and hot tubs (in order to function properly a man’s testicles are best suited to a cooler environment).
• Lose weight if you are over weight.

Females: Fertility:

• Take folic acid.
• Try to achieve your ideal weight. By being either overweight or underweight your chances of conceiving are reduced.
• Eat a healthy diet rich in essential nutrients and vitamins.
• Stop smoking.
• Reduce or ideally stop drinking alcohol.
• Use an ovulation chart.
• Age. Beyond the age of 35 your ability to become pregnant naturally starts to reduce quickly.

A 30% live birth rate is considered a good average for fertility clinics.

‘This information is intended as a guide only and should not be used as a substitute for medical information from your own doctor’