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Why are we not pregnant yet?

Factors affecting Male Fertility

The latest figures show that men now account for a higher percentage of fertility issues than women.

This can be down to lifestyle and environmental factors, but your health plays an important role in increasing your chances of becoming a dad.

There are a number of physical conditions that may be affecting fertility. The most important factor is a low concentration of motile sperm. Motile sperm are sperm that swim well. These sperm need sufficient energy and motility to reach, penetrate and fertilise an egg.

If concentration of motile sperm is low, there is a reduced chance of conception. Sperm motility is affected by a number of things:

  • Misshapen sperm (poor morphology). If sperm are poorly formed this will affect their ability to swim well and in the right direction
  • Obstructions in the vas deferens (the tubes that carry the sperm) will affect the concentration of healthy, motile sperm ejaculated. Blocked tubes can occur as a result of:
    • Varicose veins (varioceles) found in the testicles
    • Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) such as Chlamydia if left untreated
  • Various lifestyle factors can also affect the concentration of motile sperm:
    • Smoking, drinking alcohol and using recreational drugs are all known to reduce sperm quality.
  • Your diet also plays a part, for example, men who are healthy and are taking vitamin supplements (vitamin E and Vitamin C) have been shown to have a higher quality of motile sperm than men not taking vitamin supplements.

The Fertell male test gives a measure of the concentration of motile sperm, hence giving a strong indication of male fertility.

Factors affecting Female Fertility

There are a number of factors that affect female fertility, the most common issues arise from hormonal imbalances.

Hormonal issues

When too little or too much of the key hormones involved in a woman's menstrual cycle are made, the release of a mature egg from the ovary is less likely. Hormonal imbalances lead to irregular, infrequent or absent periods, with either very heavy or very light bleeds.

Ovarian Reserve

FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone) should be at a low level on day 3 of your cycle. Women in their 20's are twice as likely to conceive as women in their late 30's, with the biggest change happening around mid 30's. This is because women are born with their quota of eggs that are released each month until menopause. As a woman ages so do her eggs. The older the egg is the more likely it is to be damaged. As the quality of eggs declines, increasing amounts of FSH are released in order to produce eggs capable of fertilisation. The Fertell test detects when your day 3 FSH is at a level that indicates that your egg quality (ovarian reserve) has decreased and the chances of the egg being fertilised are reduced.

Early detection of fertility issues increases your chances of becoming pregnant.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

PCOS is where a woman's ovaries contain lots of little cysts which lead to a hormonal imbalance and make it much more difficult for eggs to be released, leading to irregular periods. Women with PCOS may also notice more hair growth around their body, weight gain and acne. PCOS can be treated with drugs that stimulate ovulation. IVF is also an option. Up to 50% of women given the drugs may conceive within 6-9 months.

Physical factors

A woman's fertility can also be impaired by certain conditions that affect the Fallopian tubes and womb:

Endometriosis

This is a condition where the lining of the womb starts to grow outside of the womb, usually on other reproductive organs and in the fallopian tubes. It can lead to very painful, heavy periods that maybe irregular.

Blocked fallopian tubes

Any blockage in the tubes will stop the released egg from reaching the womb. Surgery may be possible to remove the blockage or IVF is often a chosen alternative.

For further advice on how to improve your fertility visit the Your lifestyle section