How Long Does It Take To Get Pregnant?

Infertility is a huge strain on any relationship, the anxiety caused by not knowing if you are pregnant or if you can become pregnant when you’re trying to can lead to major psychological and emotional problems. Learning about pregnancy, how long it can take to get pregnant and what the signs of infertility are can help you identify and possibly treat it before the burden becomes too hard to bear. Always remember that not being able to conceive is not the end of the world. There are always other options for adoption, surrogates and even IVF treatments to try to improve your chances of fertility.

How Common Are Fertility Problems?

Infertility is a very common problem for a lot of couples around the world, it can be caused due to numerous issues such as polyps, birth defects, scars and fibroid. Statistics done by the CDC show that anywhere between 6% and 12% of women in the United States have trouble with fertility. Some studies indicate the worldwide percentage of couples that are infertile can be close to 15%.

How Long Will It Really take to Conceive?

People often ask how long on average does it take to conceive? The time it takes for a couple to conceive a child is dependent on various factors such as body weight, emotional health, diet, the frequency of sex and many others. This is why some couples can conceive on the first try whereas others can take about two years.

1. How Long Does It Take to Get Pregnant After Sex?

Most couples will get pregnant within a year of trying though it is not uncommon for many couples to take up to two years. There are many parameters for this and this includes your age and sperm health. Some couples have high monthly fertility and they have a higher chance of getting pregnant quicker.

2. How Long Will It Take to Conceive a Baby After Depo?

Depo is a type of injectable contraceptive used by women and has a success rate of 99 per cent. As the shots are needed every 3 months, the effects usually wear off within the same time frame. However, women have been known to be unable to conceive for as long as one year for which the cause is unknown.

What Do the Stats Say?

When it comes to fertility and conceiving, there are many stats you can find on the internet. Here are a few of the most important ones.

• One in eight couples finds trouble in getting or maintaining a pregnancy.

• 9% of women do not opt for any fertility service or treatment in their lifetime.

• One-third of infertility cases are attributed to the female partner, one third to the male partner and the remaining third is attributed to both partners or remains unexplained.

• 20% of couples will conceive within the first month of trying. 72% will conceive within the first 6 months. 84% will conceive within the year, while 92% will conceive within two years.

• 9% of men have sought out advice or treatment or testing for infertility in their entire lifetime.

Why Does It Take Longer to Get Pregnant?

There are many reasons for delayed pregnancy with a couple. The cause may be due to the female or male partner. The following reasons are attributed to the female partner:

• Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS): This is a condition where there is the growth of cysts along with enlarged ovaries. Women with this condition produce high levels of androgen that interfere with the body’s ability to produce a healthy egg.

• Diminished ovarian reserve (DOR): Some women’s reserve of eggs diminishes more rapidly than others and find it harder to conceive.

• Improper functioning of the hypothalamus or pituitary gland. These glands are responsible for the optimum conditions for conceiving.

• Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI): Some women’s ovaries fail before they turn 40. This condition is known as early menopause.

The following reasons are attributed to the male partner with regards to delayed pregnancies:

• Varicoceles: This condition is where the testes overheat due to their large size which affects the number and health of the sperm produced.

• Trauma to the testes can result in a lowering of the sperm count.

• Certain medications and/or supplements can reduce the sperm count in men such as heart medication, steroids and antidepressants.

• Cancer treatments can affect the ability of the testes to produce healthy sperm.

• Improper functioning of the hypothalamus or the pituitary gland which are responsible for producing hormones that ensure that the sperm produces is healthy and viable.

• Benign or malignant tumours in the male reproductive system.

• Pre-existing genetic conditions may also be a cause of male infertility.

How Can Age Affect Pregnancy?

Many women are now choosing to have children later in life due to many reasons such as wanting to have a successful career, financial reasons and establishing a healthy relationship. However, having children after the age of 35 decreases a woman’s chances of having a baby. The following reasons are why this happens:

• The ovaries lose their ability to release eggs.
• There is a lesser number of eggs available.
• The health of the eggs is compromised.
• The chances of having other health conditions at this age are higher.

Treating Infertility

There are many ways in which your doctor will recommend treating infertility in both partners. A combination of medications that regulate hormones, procedures to correct any pre-existing conditions and lifestyle changes to enable fertility will be pursued by your doctor.

You must discuss the same with your doctor and explore the different options available and choose a plan that suits both your and your partners needs best. A shift in lifestyle may prove to be more difficult than you might think.

Tips to Improve your Chances of Getting Pregnant

There are many tips most fertility experts will agree on when you are trying to conceive a baby. Some of them include:

• Have regular unprotected sex, at least 2 to 3 times a week.

• Keep track of your menstrual cycle to ensure that you have sex when you are ovulating.

• Keeping you and your partner stress-free can be the key to getting pregnant as stress can affect the ovulation cycle in women and lower testosterone levels in men.

While there are many factors that contribute to conceiving, staying patient and stress-free is key to your efforts. Ensure that you consult with a good fertility expert for guidance on the issue and explore the various options available now.

Also Read:

Chances of Getting Pregnant on PCOS
Assisted Reproductive Technology – Infertility Treatment
What Are the Common Causes of Infertility