Most of us learn the basics of reproduction and sexual health around the time of puberty, but there is so much more to it than what is taught in schools. Fertility is actually a very complicated subject and is unfortunately considered fairly taboo, even in the 21st Century, meaning lots of us know very little about it. For many women, the route to pregnancy is problem free, but for others than can be various complications making it difficult to conceive a healthy baby. The more you know about your own fertility, the easier it will be for you to prepare for pregnancy one day. Here are five fantastic tips to get you started:
- A Female Baby is Born with Around 1-2 Million Eggs
This is the maximum amount she will ever have. With each menstrual cycle, roughly 3-5 thousand eggs are lost, although many people wrongly assume that only one egg is lost during a period. Eventually, women run out of eggs and can therefore no longer conceive, but egg freezing is an option that allows women to preserve their fertility.
- Eggs Grow in Shells
These shells are called follicles and each month around 15-20 eggs from the pool begin to mature within their follicles. The dominant follicle is released for ovulation and the others are suppressed and stop growing.
- Ovulation is the Best Time to Try to Conceive
For this reason, women who are hoping to become pregnant like to try and determine when they are ovulating. It is usually around 10-16 days before your period starts, during which time you may notice that your cervical mucus is clearer and more slippery. You may also have other symptoms, such as tender breasts and stomach cramps. Ovulation tests can be used to help you determine when you are ovulating.
- Diet and Exercise Can Impact Fertility
Being underweight or overweight can lead to various complications that make it difficult to become pregnant. For instance, if you exercise excessively, you may affect your menstrual cycle, which is obviously crucial for reproduction. If you’re hoping to conceive, it’s better to stick to moderate exercise. A diet rich in fatty foods can cause high blood pressure and other health problems, which can also make conceiving difficult. Be sure to eat a healthy, balanced diet.
- Certain STIs Can Lead to Infertility
Chlamydia, for example, can cause damage to your fallopian tubes. IVF bypasses the need for viable fallopian tubes, so this may become your only option if you have scarring. It’s important to always practise safe sex and be sure to have a full health check-up before you’re planning to conceive.
