The best time to conceive is when the woman is ovulating. New and healthy eggs are released from the ovaries, travel to the fallopian tubes and settle there to wait for fertilization. Knowing when exactly a woman is ovulating can be a bit tricky however. This time of the month is as varied as the weather; even a healthy female may have varying dates of ovulation and this is because there are factors that can directly affect fertility.
Ideally, the best time to conceive is within the middle of a woman’s menstrual cycle. A typical or regular cycle is 28 to 32 days long. Thus, if you have cycles shorter than 28 or longer than 32 days, and are irregular for most months of the year, then you will need to consult a professional before you follow any fertility technique.
However, all things being equal, the best time to conceive is around day 14th of the cycle. As you plan your weeks and make preparations for this day, you also need to know and keep in mind factors that affect a female’s fertility. It may prove useless knowing the best time to conceive without knowing and mitigating around factors that may negatively impact falling pregnant.
• There are certain general health factors that affect fertility and these can affect the ideal time to conceive. Being overweight is one of the leading factors that may cause the menstrual cycle to go berserk. Fat levels above 10 to 15 percent than normal can make the body become overloaded with estrogens making your period irregular and fertile days unpredictable. Same goes for being underweight; if a person is 10 to 15 percent below her ideal body weight her reproductive process may also be affected.
• An irregular cycle, longer than the usual 32 days or shorter during some months, can be a sure sign of hormonal imbalances. Imbalances in hormone levels can directly affect ovulation and thus greatly affect fertility. Any hormonal imbalance must be corrected or treated before trying techniques to become pregnant.
• There are several medications that can directly affect fertility. Medications like painkillers, antibiotics and antidepressants are just some of the drugs that can temporarily cause infertility.
• The place where you work or stay can also affect your fertility. Exposure to chemicals, radiation, microwave emissions, extremes temperature and other environmental hazards can affect a woman’s ovulation and may also affect her overall health as well. Having personal conflicts, office politics and mental stress can also become potentially harmful to any person’s psychological health, much more of a woman’s.
• Alcohol can also severely affect fertility. As little as 5 drinks a week can affect your menstrual cycle with a great possibility of decreasing your chances of conception.
• Smoking is another factor that not only impairs pregnancy but also affects the entire body systems as well. A person who smokes has decreased lung and cardiovascular capacity. Smokers are more prone to develop hypertension, cardiac problems, respiratory problems, infections due to an unhealthy immune system and metabolic disorders. Stopping smoking even for just a week can massively increase your ability to conceive and possibly rejuvenate your entire body systems as well.
• There are diseases that affect the woman’s hormone production that can indirectly affect her fertility. Autoimmune diseases like thyroid diseases, rheumatoid arthritis and lupus erythymatosus are some of the most common examples. It is important therefore to treat these diseases or consult a medical professional regarding the ideal treatment before thinking of the best time to conceive.
Aside from the most common health factors that affect a woman’s fertility, there are also diseases of the reproductive system that may reduce a woman’s ability to conceive. It is thus recommended to seek medical help for any potential infertility problems. Appropriate assessment, testing, diagnosis and treatment can be done before planning for the best time to conceive. Here are some common diseases that a woman must be aware of:
• Endometriosis accounts for 5 to 30 percent of infertility problems in females. It is a condition where tissues from the uterine lining develop outside the uterus; it may grow anywhere near the ovaries, the fallopian tubes, the bowels and even near the bladder. Along with scar tissue formation and ovarian cysts, even if fertilization occurs, the egg will not be able to implant on the uterus due to the many abnormalities. The cause for endometriosis is unknown but early detection can significantly increases a woman’s chances of treatment. Signs that you have endometriosis are painful menstruation, a noticeable increase in menstrual flow and painful intercourse.
• Sexually transmitted diseases can also affect a woman’s fertility. It is estimated that there are 65 million Americans are diagnosed with STD. In women, if STDs are left untreated, can lead to scarring of the fallopian tubes, increased risk for ectopic pregnancy, infertility and other reproductive problems. As with other illnesses, STDs are treatable and early diagnosis increases a woman’s chances for treatment.
Addressing a woman’s fertility issue is only half of what needs to be done before the best time to conceive arrives. A man has to determine if there are also factors that impede pregnancy coming from his side. Here are possible fertility risks that men often fail to notice:
• Sperm health and motility is the key to a successful conception. This can be done by avoiding smoking, drinking alcohol and taking prohibited drugs.
• Sperm are easily destroyed by heat and acidic environment. Wearing boxers is the most recommended undergarment for men to keep sperm in the sacs of the scrotum viable and healthy. Wearing briefs can move the scrotum close to the body destroying sperm through body heat.
• Stress can also affect sperm health and number. It is important therefore to reduce stress through effective relaxation and meditation techniques.
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