Low fertility. Fertility

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The concept of fertility is applied to various factors of a mature organism to the production of offspring. Fertility is considered a biological indicator that is characteristic of one individual or the whole group people to reproduce. The concept of fertility also applies to humans and refers to the period of sexual maturity and reproduction. This period ranges from 14 to 48 years.

What is fertility?

Based on scientific term, That fertility means that the body has matured and is ready to produce offspring. Translated from Latin, it means prolific. Fertility is considered the opposite word to the concept of infertility. Fertility is an exclusive concept and characterizes a person as a biological species that can conceive and bear offspring.

To produce offspring, it takes two people, so the word fertility applies to both women and men. This suggests that there is female fertility, and it lies in a woman’s ability to conceive and give birth to a child. There is also male fertility, which is based on the factor of impregnating your partner.

The union of two people who can have children has the concept of a fertile couple. The term fertility applies only to people who are of reproductive age. For women this period comes with the first menstruation and goes away with menopause. This means that this is the period in which the monthly cycle occurs regularly.

In men, reproductive age is 15 years, when healthy and full-fledged sperm begin to mature and can fertilize an egg. A man can be of reproductive age until his death, if aggravating factors do not spoil its quality and composition, which will not be suitable for fertilization.

But it takes two people to conceive, so the fertile age has limits from 15 to 49 years old. There is also the concept of demographic fertility, when the population of people is reflected according to the area of ​​residence.

Fertility in women

Fertility represents the ability to have offspring.

The concept of female fertility includes three main components:

  • The ability to conceive a child;
  • Bearing a fetus;
  • Birth of a child.

Fertility can also be:

  • High;
  • Normal;
  • Low.

The concept of low female fertility means that of the three components, she may only be capable of two of them. Normal fertility is a woman's ability to have all three components. Increased fertility is the ability to conceive, bear and give birth to a child without taking a break between births.

Thanks to the latest technologies in medicine, Now virtually every woman can give birth to a child who was unable to get pregnant on her own. Therefore, the concept of fertility has lost some of its meaning. It is now possible to give birth using a caesarean section, but in order to safely carry the baby to term, you need to be kept in confinement and take medications.

Fertility in men

Male fertility is the ability to impregnate a woman by releasing sperm into her vagina. Fertility depends on the quality of sperm and the quality of sperm. With the help of a spermogram, it is possible to obtain the quality of sperm and thereby the overall fertility of a particular man.

Like women, representatives of the stronger sex also have normal, increased and low degrees of fertility definition.

But you need to know that A spermogram shows only general fertility. This suggests that even with a low degree of fertility, a man has the ability to impregnate a woman. It will simply mean that fertilizing capacity will be reduced.

And an increased degree will not mean that a woman will become pregnant from the first act. Motile sperm are not always able to find the egg.

Fertility test

Nowadays, to assess the quality of sperm, Kruger and Farris indices. They are calculated based on spermogram data. Therefore, sperm fertility and male fertility at this time have identical concepts. Determining sperm fertility, according to the Kruger and Farris indices, will help predict whether the egg can be fertilized in one act.

The fertility index shows the fertility of one man. And the fertility rate is a population indicator and means the number of children that one woman of fertile age gave birth to in a specific area that is being studied.

Factors that affect male fertility

There are certain factors that affect male fertility:


When assessing fertility, these factors should always be assessed. If a man has at least one of the listed factors, then this indicates that his fertility is reduced. To improve your performance, you need to eliminate the above factors from your life.

Fertile day - what is it?

A woman’s cycle, depending on the likelihood of pregnancy, is divided into three main phases:

  • The phase when there is virtually no chance of getting pregnant. This period begins from the end of menstruation and continues until ovulation. If you have sexual intercourse, it is almost impossible to get pregnant during this period;
  • Fertility phase. It falls in the middle of the cycle and coincides with ovulation. The probability of getting pregnant in this phase is high. Sperm live in the vagina for up to 4 days. This fertile phase begins 4 days before ovulation and ends 4 days after it occurs. In total this period is 8 days;
  • Infertility phase. It occurs on the 5th day after ovulation and lasts 14 days. It is virtually impossible to get pregnant during this period. Since the egg of this menstrual cycle lost its properties, never being fertilized.

Fertility forecast

Fertility prognosis for women is determined based on the count of eggs in the body. This indicator can be obtained after undergoing a pelvic ultrasound and determining the level of hormones in the blood. An ultrasound should be done on the 6th day of the menstrual cycle. The result shows the size of the ovaries and how many follicles there are in them.

Blood testing for hormones allows you to determine the ratio of hormones of the luteinizing and follicle-stimulating phases. There is no need to confuse the fertility index and the fertility rate.

What is the fertile window?

The fertile window represents the best time to conceive a child. To start a new life, it is necessary for the sperm to find the egg and fertilize it. The sperm in men matures all the time, but the egg matures only once per menstrual cycle.

The most favorable time for conception is the day of ovulation, when the egg is released on abdominal cavity. This cell lives only for a day. Therefore, you should not have hope only for this one day, you may miss. This means that it is better to start the fertilization process three days before ovulation.

The sperm lives up to 5 days, but you don’t need to count on all the days. He will still need 2 days to adapt and give him the basis for a new life. The fertile window is the period when it is almost one hundred percent possible to become pregnant. This is 3 days before ovulation and the day during it.

Bottom line

To determine male fertility, it is necessary to undergo a spermogram and calculate the Kruger and Farris index. Sperm mature daily, so a man is ready to impregnate a woman all the time.

The concept of low fertility for men is unacceptable. This only suggests that the function of egg fertilization may be reduced. There are several factors that reduce male fertility.

Content

Have you been wanting a child for a long time, but pregnancy still doesn’t happen? Perhaps you do not know what fertility is, and therefore you do not use all the effective methods to conceive the long-awaited baby. Understand how the female body works and how to calculate favorable days when ovulation occurs and there is every chance of getting pregnant.

Fertility in women - what is it?

This term comes from the Latin word fertilis, which means fertile. Fertility is the ability of an organism at puberty to produce offspring. You need to know that this indicator is determined not only in females, but also in males, because for conception it is necessary that both partners do not have any disruptions in reproduction. In practice, women are more likely to encounter this term and are forced to resort to various examinations and methods in order to increase their fertility and give birth to a long-awaited baby.

Fertility in men is determined by a laboratory test, during which sperm is assessed using special indicators - the Kruger index and the Farris index. To determine whether this coefficient is normal in a woman, you need to do several studies, the first of which is an ultrasound of the ovaries on the 5-6th day after menstruation. During diagnosis, the doctor sees the presence of growing follicles and gives a forecast of the likelihood of fertilization. Hormonal studies, during which the ratio of the hormones FSH and LH are determined, help show a more accurate picture of a woman’s fertility.

Fertile age

Nature has determined that people can reproduce only during a certain period of their life. If a man can perform this function from puberty until old age, then for women it is not so simple with fertilization - they can conceive and give birth only before menopause. Based on these norms of body functioning, the fertile age is considered to be the period from 15 to 49 years. Girls planning to give birth should be guided by this time frame; they should not put off this issue for too long, because at a younger age the prognosis for pregnancy and childbirth is more favorable.

Fertility days

Often girls do not know exactly when their fertile period occurs during the menstrual cycle, and do not take into account the significance of this indicator when planning a pregnancy. It is a mistake to do this, because in this case the moment when the chances of conceiving a child are maximum will be missed. It will be correct to determine fertile days and apply this information in a timely manner.

You need to know that almost every month a female reproductive cell matures in the ovary under the influence of estrogen. Approximately on the 14th day after the start of the menstrual period, ovulation occurs, the egg enters the fallopian tube, beginning to move towards the uterus. She is capable of fertilization within 24 hours. Taking into account these time frames and the lifespan of sperm, the fertility window is determined - it opens 5-6 days before ovulation and closes 1-2 days after it.

How to calculate fertile days

The menstrual cycle varies in length for different girls. This fact explains why individual determination of fertile days is so important: if you correctly calculate the date of ovulation, then as a result the chances of fertilization will increase significantly. Find out which methods of calculating this period are the most effective and are often recommended by gynecologists.

How to calculate the most favorable time for fertilization using this method? The girl will need to keep a calendar of fertile days - mark in it the days of the beginning and end of menstruation, as well as the middle of the cycle, which approximately coincides with ovulation. You need to know that this method has a drawback - it will only be useful if you have a stable menstrual cycle. If, due to the influence of certain factors, this indicator is different for a woman every month, then the calendar method is ineffective in this case.

Discharge on fertile days

A woman who is attentive to her health notices that certain changes occur in her body at regular intervals. Using her powers of observation, she can sense what fertile days are like. They are characterized by a change in the nature and amount of vaginal secretion. Discharge on fertile days differs from usual in that it is more abundant, and in appearance it is stretchy mucus, very similar to egg white.

Why are these changes happening? In this way, the female body optimally adapts to ensure that sperm enter an environment favorable to them, and conception occurs. The fertile phase can also make itself felt by other signs: pulling pain in the lower abdomen, increased sensitivity of the breasts. Similar symptoms may occur in some gynecological diseases, so if there is an unusual change in the nature of vaginal discharge, you should definitely consult a specialist.

Basal temperature on fertile days

This method of observation is one of the most accurate for determining the most favorable moment for conception; only ovulation tests are considered more informative. If you measure the temperature in the rectum for several months and draw up a detailed chart, based on the data obtained, you can effectively calculate the onset of ovulation.

How does basal temperature change on fertile days? On the day of ovulation, it decreases slightly, and immediately after the release of the germ cell from the follicle, it rises sharply, remaining approximately at this level until the next menstruation. Using the graph data, you can determine fertile days when fertilization of a mature egg is very likely.

First of all, it is the ability to procreate, the body’s readiness to conceive. From birth, every newborn baby already has four hundred eggs in her body, which begin to mature during adolescence.

Fertility in women - what is it?

Fertility age can be easily divided into three stages:

  • reproductive – from the beginning of puberty to 20 years. During this period, the menstrual cycle is extremely unstable;
  • average – from 20 to 40 years. During this period, there is the highest probability of conception and a stable menstrual cycle;
  • late – begins at 40 years of age and continues until menopause. During this period there is also a considerable probability of conception.

Fertility window - what is it? How to determine?

Most often, the concept of “fertility window” is used by doctors to determine the very cycle during which the maximum possible conception. This is counted as five days before ovulation and one day of ovulation. It is during this period that having unprotected sex most often ends with the onset of pregnancy.

Fertile days

Of all the fertile days, there is one in which the possibility of conception increases as much as possible. Fertile day or ovulation is a cycle exit eggs from the follicle. It is at this moment that fertilization occurs upon meeting the sperm. But still, correctly, fertile days should be considered all days on which conception is possible. That is, fertile days and fertile period are a concept that means the same thing.

How to determine your fertile period

To know when the cycle begins, it is worth keeping a female calendar. This will help both protect yourself and get pregnant. You can calculate fertile days yourself - a woman just needs to know the length of her menstrual cycle (usually 28 days). It is the middle of the phase that is those very cherished days. Thanks to modern technologies, it is enough to download the necessary application to your phone and enter the start and end dates of ovulation. Then the program will calculate everything itself.

Another way to determine fertility is the meaning and nature of vaginal discharge. The fact is that the cervix, in order to maintain the viability of sperm in the genital tract, produces a special secretion, the amount of which increases significantly during ovulation. Accordingly, the consistency and amount of cervical mucus can be used to judge the onset of the fertile period.

Fertility Factor

A woman’s fertility factor is the totality of all negative influences on the body, due to which is decreasing possibility of conception. Here are the main ones:

  • age - because the older a woman gets, the fewer ovulation cycles occur;
  • excess weight – entails hormonal imbalance;
  • mood swings and stress – negatively affect hormone fluctuations;
  • the onset of early menopause;
  • diseases of diabetes mellitus or the thyroid gland, which causes hormonal imbalance;
  • bad habits;
  • diseases of the genital organs with their inflammation.

Impaired fertility entails not only the impossibility get pregnant, but also difficulties during pregnancy and childbirth. If a married couple is unable to conceive a child within a year, they should definitely seek help from a specialist. As a rule, both the man and the woman undergo special procedures and tests to determine the cause and factor influencing the decrease in fertility.

How to increase fertility in women

When should you start preparing your body for pregnancy? Some may say that from the moment of social maturity, others are even sure that from the beginning of puberty. But, as a rule, both are wrong. After all, every mother should take care of her baby’s health from the moment she is born and ensure that personal hygiene rules are followed. At an older age, instill these same rules, protect them from all kinds of infections. During adolescence, you need to be able to correctly convey to a girl information about sexual relations, about the dangers that unprotected sexual intercourse and abortion pose.

At a conscious age, every woman should understand that conception is directly intertwined with such a concept as a correct lifestyle. There are a number of factors that influence demotion ability to bear children:

Therefore, it is worth taking the most responsible approach to preparing the right diet, monitoring the condition of your body, and eating more foods that increase the activity of the happiness hormone in the body.

It is also worth paying attention to your state of mind. If you are actively trying to conceive a child, but the attempts are unsuccessful, it is worth considering whether you really want this very much. It often happens that strong unconscious resistance may occur inside, associated with fear or uncertainty about motherhood. On a subconscious level, our brain thus does not influence our ability to become pregnant in the best way. For everything to work out, you need to mentally let go of the problem or fear from your head. And everything will definitely work out. Every woman is born to experience the joy and happiness of motherhood.

Currently, reproductive technologies make it possible to have offspring at any age, with a serious illness, and even after death.

This is possible thanks to the freezing of female eggs and male sperm and storage of biomaterial in a cryobank without loss of quality using innovative technologies.

The fertile age begins at about 15 years of age.

It is believed that in men it ends after the age of 60, but there are many cases of children being born in 70-80 year old men. For the female half of the population, everything is different. A woman is ready to conceive with the onset of menarche (first menstruation), but a woman’s fertility ends with the onset of menopause, when the functions of the gonads (ovaries) fade away and the supply of oocytes available from birth is completely exhausted. Therefore, even theoretically, with the onset of menopause, a woman is not able to continue her family.

Male Fertility Factors Female Fertility Factors
Age (as we age, the production of testosterone, which is responsible for sperm quality, decreases) Age (as you age, the number of ovulation cycles decreases)
Excess weight (causes hormonal imbalance) Excess or underweight (leads to hormonal imbalance)
Stress (under stress, the synthesis of GnRH, which directly regulates spermatogenesis, stops) Stress (causes hormonal imbalance)
Genital injuries Early menopause
Diseases of the genital organs of various nature, including inflammatory ones (for example, varicocele, prostatitis, etc.) Diseases that provoke hormonal imbalance (polycystic ovary syndrome, hyperfunction and hypofunction of the thyroid gland, diabetes)
Severe chronic diseases (for example, diabetes, arterial hypertension, etc.) Tubal patency disorders
Long-term course of the inflammatory process in the body ( heat body disrupts spermatogenesis) Adhesive process in the pelvis
Overheating of the testicles with frequent visits to the bathhouse, sauna, solarium, etc. Synechiae (connective tissue adhesions) inside the uterine cavity
Compression of the testicles by tight and uncomfortable underwear Numerous intrauterine interventions (abortions, etc.)
Insufficient drinking (lack of fluid in the body makes sperm inactive) Gynecological non-inflammatory diseases (uterine fibroids, endometriosis, ovarian cysts, polyps and endometrial hyperplasia, etc.)
Poor environmental conditions in the region of residence Inflammatory diseases of the genital organs
Occupational hazards Bad habits
Bad habits Immunological disorders, as a result of which sperm are destroyed by the woman’s body
Poor quality nutrition with deficiency of vitamins and microelements
Failure to comply with the work and rest schedule
Use of certain medications
Features of modern life (constantly carrying a mobile phone on the belt in close proximity to the testicles, eating fast food, carbonated drinks, etc.)

Get an expert opinion

Male Fertility

Theoretically, men are able to procreate until a very old age, since men of any age have motile sperm. It’s just that, starting from about 40-45 years, the amount of testosterone and motile sperm in the male body constantly decreases.

A man's ability to reproduce depends on the quality of his seminal fluid and the number of motile sperm. To determine the characteristics of sperm, a spermogram is performed - a highly accurate laboratory test that allows you to judge the fertility of each man.

For a spermogram, you need to collect seminal fluid in a special disposable container. Almost all clinics have a specially designated room where a man can get tested. The recommended method of collecting material is masturbation. It is strongly not recommended to examine semen obtained after sexual intercourse.

A woman's genital tract is not sterile; the likelihood of microorganisms entering a man's urethra is very high. The results of such an analysis will be unreliable.

Why is it so necessary to collect seminal fluid directly in the laboratory?

The fact is that the analysis must be carried out no later than an hour from the moment the material is collected, and sperm must be transported only at a certain temperature. Violation of the temperature regime and too long an interval between sperm collection and examination significantly reduce the reliability of the information obtained. In such cases, the man's fertility will be incorrectly assessed.

You should properly prepare for a spermogram. To do this, three to four days before the examination you should not visit the sauna, take a hot bath, or drink alcohol. If a man takes any medications, you need to inform your doctor about it. They may have to be temporarily cancelled.

During the analysis, the following parameters of seminal fluid are assessed:

  • volume. For successful fertilization, 3–4 ml is enough. An insufficient amount of seminal fluid indicates that a man’s fertility is reduced;
  • color is normally white, sometimes with a gray tint. When the infectious process develops, the sperm may acquire a yellow or green tint. Red or brown color indicates bleeding, possible ulceration of the vas deferens, tumors;
  • the smell is specific, changes during infectious diseases;
  • viscosity should be within normal limits. Too thick seminal fluid sharply reduces sperm motility;
  • acidity - an acidic environment causes the death of sperm;
  • number of male reproductive cells in 1 ml of ejaculate, as well as their total number;
  • sperm motility- only those that move in a straight line can fertilize an egg;
  • quality of germ cells;
  • state of genetic material;
  • sperm morphology. Indicators of more than 50% in a conventional study and 13% in Kruger morphology are considered normal (more stringent diagnostic criteria are used in Kruger morphology);
  • presence of erythrocytes and leukocytes. The normal number of leukocytes is 1 million in 1 ml of seminal fluid. exceeding the indicator indicates an inflammatory process. Red blood cells should be absent in healthy men.

Based on the results obtained from a specific technique, fertility can be determined:

  • normal;
  • increased;
  • reduced.

The main factors that affect fertility in men are:

  • age - the older a man is, the less testosterone is synthesized in his body. In addition, the sensitivity of receptors interacting with this biologically active substance decreases. As a result, the production of male germ cells in the testicles deteriorates;
  • excess weight - adipose tissue is a source of estrogen. These are female sex hormones that negatively affect erection and fertility;
  • excessive and frequent psycho-emotional stress;
  • traumatic injuries external and internal genital organs;
  • inflammatory diseases, including those caused by sexually transmitted pathogenic microorganisms;
  • somatic diseases- high blood pressure, dysfunction of the endocrine glands, diabetes mellitus;
  • chronic overheating of the testicles- full-fledged sperm are produced only at a certain temperature;
  • taking certain medications.

A man’s bad spermogram does not indicate that he will not be able to conceive a child. You can have a child with any sperm parameters; the chances are simply reduced with a low-quality analysis.

But even good results do not guarantee quick conception. Not everything in the matter of conception depends on the man, much depends on the woman, the phase of the menstrual cycle in which attempts were made to conceive, the interaction and compatibility of the couple.

Female Fertility

For women, fertility is a slightly more complex set of circumstances and concepts.

The main ones are:

  • normal monthly cycle;
  • regular ovulation;
  • the possibility of fertilizing an egg;
  • the ability to bear and give birth to a child.

As with men, a woman's fertility depends on many factors, the main ones being:

  • age - the older the patient, the fewer eggs can mature in her ovaries. A regular cycle after 40 years is not always accompanied by ovulation, and a mature egg is not always complete;
  • past inflammatory diseases of external internal genital organs, menstrual irregularities. Chronic processes without pronounced clinical symptoms are especially dangerous. Very often they lead to the development of adhesions and disruption of the patency of the fallopian tubes. Chronic endometritis is the main cause of miscarriage;
  • excess weight, causing hormonal imbalance or as a manifestation of pathology on the part of the endocrine system.

Although it is believed that fertility occurs with the first menstruation, the female body is ready to successfully cope with pregnancy and childbirth by the age of 15-16 years. After all, menarche occurs at both 11 and 12 years of age, but active reproductive age begins at the age of 15.

Around the age of 50, a woman’s ability to reproduce decreases or completely dries up. Even with regular menstruation at this age, fertilization of the egg may not occur, therefore, pregnancy will not occur.

To assess fertility in women, the following laboratory and instrumental tests are used:

  • examination by a gynecologist;
  • laboratory examination of vaginal discharge, smears from the cervical and urethra;
  • confirmation of the fact of ovulation;
  • hysterosalpingography;
  • study of hormonal levels;
  • determination of ovarian reserve.

During the examination, the doctor receives a preliminary understanding of the woman’s health condition. Bimanual examination allows you to assess the size and position of the uterus, the condition of the cervix, fallopian tubes and appendages. Microflora studies are used to detect pathogenic microorganisms that cause the inflammatory process.

To confirm the presence of an ovulatory menstrual cycle and the fact of ovulation, functional tests are used (measuring basal temperature, assessing cervical mucus, accurately recording the dates of menstruation), ultrasound, and hormonal tests.

Ultrasound examination is used as the primary method of instrumental diagnosis. This is a safe and highly informative technique that allows you to identify signs of inflammation, adhesions, tumors, and other diseases. In addition, using the technique, you can see maturing follicles and predict the exact date of ovulation.

  1. Hysterosalpingography- an x-ray examination method designed to assess the patency of the fallopian tubes. To improve visualization, a contrast agent is injected into the uterine cavity. Normally, it penetrates the fallopian tubes, which is clearly visible on an x-ray.
  2. Hysteroscopy is an endoscopic examination method, during which the gynecologist evaluates the condition of the inner lining of the uterus. Manipulation can be diagnostic and therapeutic. Therapeutic hysteroscopy is performed if it is necessary to remove a polyp or small tumor. In addition, during the examination, small pieces of tissue can be taken for the purpose of pathomorphological examination.

Determining the concentration of hormones in the blood allows the doctor to draw conclusions about the functioning of the endocrine glands and, if necessary, prescribe the necessary treatment. It is carried out on certain days of the menstrual cycle.

Ovarian reserve is the number of eggs potentially capable of maturation and conception. This is an individual indicator, which is determined using a series of hormonal tests and ultrasound examination. Shows the effectiveness of the menstrual cycle, since with low ovarian reserve and absence of ovulation, pregnancy is impossible.

Thanks to the possibility of preserving one’s own reproductive biomaterial with the help of assistive technologies and using it in IVF, modern medicine has significantly extended women’s fertile age.

Reproductive female age

Reproductive female age is divided into several periods:

  • duration of the early period – from menarche to 20 years of age;
  • The duration of the average period is 20-40 years, this is the most optimal age for bearing and giving birth to children. After 35 years, fertile function in women begins to decline;
  • The duration of the late period is 40-49 years; at a later age, the chances of pregnancy decrease.

It is known that women give birth both at age 50 and later, but the risk of complicated pregnancies and problematic births increases every year.

Fertility Preservation Options

There are several simple but important points that will allow you to maintain reproductive function longer.

They are:

  • regular intimacy without contraception with a regular partner, preferably at least twice a week;
  • avoiding stress;
  • do not starve and do not strictly limit yourself in food;
  • eat rationally, balancedly, if possible, do not eat “fast” food;
  • the formation of healthy sperm is negatively affected by hot baths, saunas, and wearing tight synthetic underwear;
  • drink enough water;
  • do not overload physically;
  • exclude smoking, drinking alcohol, and taking medications;
  • strengthen the immune system.

Thanks to these simple steps, you can significantly increase your ability to reproduce. If, after following all the rules, you are unable to conceive a child, you should consult with specialists at the AltraVita clinic. Experienced doctors will be able to figure out what caused the decrease in fertility.

Fertility drugs

Currently, specialized vitamin-mineral complexes or dietary supplements that have the property of increasing fertility have been developed and are available on the market. These drugs can be used simultaneously with the treatment of underlying diseases and the implementation of the described rules, which will maximize the fertility of a man or woman.

What is fertility in women? The most accurate answer to this question is given by the Latin term fertilis - “fertile,” characterizing the readiness of a woman of reproductive age to become pregnant and give birth to viable children. Since procreation requires the participation of opposite-sex partners, the concept of fertility is also applied to men. Only in this case we are talking about the partner’s ability to fertilize.

Signs of Fertility

There is also a demographic concept of female fertility, which is applied to a certain population of people. This indicator reflects the process of population reproduction and is expressed in the birth rate, which takes into account the number of children per woman of childbearing age.

There is no general indicator for assessing fertility, but there are a number of signs that indicate a woman’s readiness to conceive and bear offspring:

  • Regular menstrual cycle. If menstruation comes without delay, it means that eggs are maturing in the female body, ready for fertilization. For conception, it is very important that ovulation (the moment the egg is released from the ovary) occurs regularly.
  • Secondary sexual characteristics. These are well-formed and developed breasts, ready to feed a baby, feminine forms, and the absence of excess hair on the body (this happens when there is an imbalance of hormones).
  • Stable hormonal levels. The main sex hormones responsible for reproductive functions in women are progesterone and estrogen, the balance of which largely determines the ability to conceive and bear children. Hormonal imbalances can cause menstrual irregularities, uterine bleeding, miscarriages and infertility.
  • Good women's health. The absence of diseases of the female genitourinary system is another sign of a fertile woman. It is very important to promptly identify and treat possible pathologies - sexually transmitted infections or diseases of the reproductive system that impair reproductive function. To do this, you need to regularly visit a gynecologist.

A woman’s high ability to conceive is indicated by the fact that pregnancy occurs even when using contraceptives or an intrauterine device. Such cases are quite rare, but they do occur.

Reproductive age limits

Reproductive age in women is the period when she is capable of bearing children. The ability to get pregnant, carry and give birth healthy offspring for a Russian woman it varies from 15 to 50 years. In other countries, these boundaries may change to suit local customs and lifestyles.

The limits of childbearing age for each woman are individual and depend on a number of factors: health status, genetics, lifestyle, the presence or absence of bad habits. In general, this period begins with the onset of the first menstruation and ends with the arrival of menopause.

In medicine, it is customary to divide the fertility period into several segments:

  1. Early stage. This includes the time period from the onset of the first ovulation to the age of 20. During this period, the menstrual cycle may be irregular and ovulation may be rare. This is due to hormonal instability and the process of puberty. Unpredictability of the menstrual cycle increases the chance of unplanned pregnancy.
  2. Middle stage. The most stable and favorable period for conception is from 20 to 40 years. Characterized by hormonal stability and cycle regularity. The most favorable time for bearing and giving birth to offspring is considered to be under 30 years of age, when a young woman is in good health and does not face chronic diseases.
  3. Late stage. This is the age from 40 to 45 years, bringing a woman closer to the onset of menopause. At this stage, the hormonal background begins to gradually change, but the menstrual cycle remains stable and ovulation occurs regularly. Modern medicine makes it possible to carry and safely give birth to a healthy baby at this age. In recent years, more and more women are deliberately postponing conception to a later period, preparing the material basis for the full development and upbringing of a child.
  4. Decaying stage. This is the period of menopause, which is characterized by the attenuation of ovarian function and loss of reproductive ability. The age limits of menopause vary from person to person, and it is believed that women who give birth after 35 years begin menopausal changes later. On average, the onset of menopause occurs between the ages of 45 and 60 years. The menopause period is characterized by a shortening or lengthening of the menstrual cycle, a change in the volume of bleeding, and certain physical and psychological discomfort. At this stage, it is not advisable for a woman to become pregnant. If conception does occur, the child will have to be born under strict medical supervision and with the mandatory use of hormonal medications that regulate hormonal fluctuations.

Supporting late pregnancy is associated with certain difficulties, since low fertility and the presence of chronic diseases pose a threat to the life of the mother and fetus.

What does fertility depend on?

Female fertility, or, speaking in simple words, the ability to conceive depends on many factors. The following factors influence readiness for childbearing:

  • Age. The younger the woman, the greater the chance of pregnancy and the birth of a healthy child.
  • Features of the constitution. Doctors note that the ability to conceive is reduced in women who are too thin or overweight.
  • The presence of chronic diseases (diabetes mellitus, thyroid dysfunction, pathologies of internal organs).
  • Inflammatory and adhesive processes in the pelvic organs.
  • Gynecological problems (uterine fibroids or endometriosis, ovarian cysts, polyps, etc.).
  • Conditions after surgical interventions (abortion, miscarriage, frozen or ectopic pregnancy).
  • Bad habits, unhealthy and inactive lifestyle.
  • Poor nutrition leading to a lack of essential vitamins and microelements (vitaminosis).
  • Chronic stress, prolonged psycho-emotional stress.
  • Unfavorable ecology in the region of residence.

Sometimes a woman cannot become pregnant for immunological reasons. Her body perceives male sperm as aggressive strangers and seeks to destroy them. In such a situation, pregnancy is possible only after medical intervention.

Any of the above factors affects female fertility. If obstacles to the conception and birth of a child arise, it is necessary to identify the cause of the problem and eliminate it in a timely manner.

Fertility forecast: what is it?

When studying fertility, doctors use a number of clinical and laboratory tests. Fertility forecast is determined in points:

  • An indicator of “-2” indicates that a woman cannot become pregnant naturally.
  • With average indicators, the patient has every chance of conceiving and bearing a healthy baby.
  • High fertility with an indicator of “+2” indicates the absence of problems with reproductive function. In such a woman, pregnancy can occur even when using contraception.

In the diagnostic process, doctors resort to the following methods:

Ultrasound of the pelvic organs

The purpose of ultrasound is to study the condition, size and functionality of the ovaries. The procedure is carried out on the fifth or sixth day of the menstrual cycle. An ultrasound shows whether the ovaries produce a sufficient number of follicles that are ready for fertilization at the right time.

Determination of hormonal profile

The ability to conceive is determined in the laboratory by studying the content of hormones responsible for the functions of the ovaries. A fertility test is done on the second to fifth day of the cycle. With its help, it is possible to determine the concentration of FSH (follicle-stimulating) and LH (luteinizing) hormones. In the case when the level of the first hormone is higher, we are talking about ovarian depletion.

In addition to clinical studies, every woman can do a home fertility test. It is similar to a pregnancy test and is carried out on the days of expected ovulation. A special test strip must be dipped into the collected urine and wait two to three minutes until two stripes appear. If the first stripe (resulting) is colored brighter than the second (control), fertility is high and the moment for conception is favorable. Otherwise, you need to consult a doctor and undergo a course of treatment aimed at increasing the chances of conception.

If research results indicate a decrease in fertility, do not despair. In the arsenal of modern medicine there are enough tools aimed at restoring reproductive function.

How to increase your fertility

A specialist decides how to increase a woman’s fertility after a full diagnostic examination and elimination of identified pathologies. Diseases of the female genital area, which are treated by a gynecologist, can prevent conception.

In the absence of serious health problems, therapy will be aimed at eliminating possible physiological causes. In this case, the woman must follow a number of medical recommendations:

  • keep a balanced healthy eating;
  • give up strict and low-calorie diets;
  • eliminate stress factors;
  • drink more fluids to avoid dehydration;
  • to refuse from bad habits;
  • spend more time in the fresh air, increase physical activity;
  • have regular sex life with one partner;
  • avoid casual sex.

Special vitamin-mineral complexes and dietary supplements will help increase your ability to conceive. They contain a complex of active substances that have a positive effect on reproductive functions: B vitamins, vitamin C, folic acid, magnesium, zinc, selenium, etc. Popular drugs that can be found in any pharmacy: Vitrum, Tribestan, Pregnoton. Special medicines(gonadotropins and ovulation stimulants) can only be prescribed by a specialist. It is necessary to take medications that affect fertility under the supervision of a doctor.

Fertility is sensitive to any changes in health. In the absence of serious pathologies and the correct approach to treatment, a woman has every chance of a successful conception and the birth of a healthy baby.