You might be surprised by some of the facts about TTC
You might think you already know everything you need to know about trying to conceive, or TTC. However, human reproduction is complex. There are also a lot of myths out there that everyone from Dr. Google to your loved ones believe. Our Las Vegas fertility specialists want to help you separate fact from fiction, so they’re sharing five facts about conceiving that might surprise you.
Fact One: Even if you have regular periods, you could still be facing infertility
To conceive naturally, you need to ovulate. Many women assume that they’re ovulating if they have regular periods. While this is often the case, some women who have a visit from Aunt Flo every month might not be ovulating regularly or at all. This can be due to hormonal imbalances or premature menopause. Fertility testing can help identify whether you might be facing these issues, even if you get a monthly period.
There’s something else that’s important to note. You can have regular periods and regular ovulation but still be unable to conceive. Problems like endometriosis, uterine fibroids and blocked fallopian tubes aren’t related to ovulation, but they can make pregnancy more difficult to achieve. Being overweight or underweight, having certain untreated medical conditions and smoking can also make TTC harder, even for women with regular periods.
Two: Men have a biological clock too
Women often feel pressured by their biological clock. In fact, it’s one of the reasons egg freezing is so popular. However, the ladies aren’t the only ones who have to contend with a ticking clock.
Although the clock doesn’t tick as quickly or as loudly for men, guys do experience an age-related decline in fertility. Typically around age 40 to 45, a man’s sperm quality decreases. This makes it more difficult for him to get his partner pregnant. It can also increase the risk of miscarriage or birth defects. However, some men can still father a healthy child later in life. Just ask Picasso.
Three: The type of lubricant you use can make a difference when you’re TTC
You know that you need to be more careful about what goes in and around your body when you’re trying to conceive. However, many people don’t realize that this also includes personal lubricant. Lubricants with certain formulas and chemicals can actually inhibit sperm movement and kill sperm.
One of the facts about conceiving that you need to know is what type of lubricant to use. Our Las Vegas fertility specialists often recommend Pre-Seed. You can also grab some coconut oil from your kitchen for a safe and affordable option. Who knew that something from the kitchen could help out in the bedroom?
Four: There’s no need to remain lying down after sex
There’s a common misconception that the woman needs to lie down for a certain amount of time after doing the deed. The thought is that doing so keeps the sperm in place and helps when you’re TTC. However, there’s no evidence to support this. That means you can get up to use the bathroom without worrying about it interfering with your conception efforts.
Five: If you keep trying on your own, you’ll eventually conceive
While the dream for most people is to conceive naturally, some issues make it difficult to impossible. Thankfully, our Las Vegas fertility specialists can help overcome many barriers on the path to parenthood. From problems with ovulation to a low sperm count, our team offers highly effective treatments and compassionate care to make parenthood possible.
So, if you’re under 35 and haven’t been able to conceive after a year of trying (or six months of trying if you’re 35 or older), we recommend contacting us. We can get you scheduled with one of our doctors so that we can help you with TTC.