Starting a family can be a challenging journey for many couples.
One of the biggest obstacles that some couples face is struggling to get pregnant while ovulating. While ovulation is a key part of the reproductive process, it doesn’t guarantee that a woman will conceive.
There are many different reasons why a couple may have difficulty conceiving.
To improve your chances of conceiving, it’s important to understand the factors that can contribute to fertility.
On this page, we’ll discuss some of the most common reasons couples aren’t able to get pregnant while ovulating. Keep reading to find out more.
Why Am I Not Getting Pregnant Even Though I Am Ovulating?
When couples decide they want to start a family, it’s common to start tracking the woman’s reproductive cycle. This is because women can only conceive when they ovulate.
You may get the timing right, but you still aren’t conceiving.
For most couples, it doesn’t happen right away.
However, if you’ve been trying for nearly a year or longer, you may wonder why it’s not working.
Let’s go over some of the most common reasons you may not get pregnant when ovulating.
1. You’re Not Producing a Mature Egg
A mature egg is necessary for fertilization to occur. Your chances of becoming pregnant will be significantly reduced without a healthy egg. This is one of the main reasons why women struggle to get pregnant.
There are other reasons why a woman may be unable to produce a mature egg when ovulating. This usually occurs because of hormonal imbalances.
However, it can also be caused by a decline in egg quality (caused by aging) or polycystic ovary syndrome.
2. Partner Has Poor Quality Sperm
With some couples, it may not be an issue with the woman’s health that’s creating a hurdle with pregnancy. It can be the quality of the man’s sperm. If the man has a low sperm count, it can affect fertility.
Many issues with sperm can create a problem. Other semen quality issues can be the shape or abnormal sperm movement.
To see if this is the problem, men can get a semen analysis performed.
3. Poor Lifestyle Choices
Both men and women need to pay attention to their lifestyle choice if they want to become pregnant. Lifestyle factors play a significant role in fertility.
Unhealthy lifestyle choices can have consequences for people that want to conceive.
Men who party a lot are more likely to become infertile because sperm count can be significantly affected by alcohol consumption, smoking, and drug use.
Eating a poor diet and living a sedentary lifestyle can also affect fertility. Luckily, diet can be reversed.
Eating healthy and regular exercise is crucial in helping improve fertility.
If your fertility is affected by unhealthy lifestyle choices, it may take several months of positive changes before you can conceive.
4. Unhealthy Weight Range
Being in a healthy weight range is important for fertility. Being underweight or overweight can have adverse effects on your ability to conceive.
Underweight women often experience hormonal imbalances that affect their menstrual cycle and ovulation. Overweight women may experience difficulty conceiving because insulin resistance can lead to ovulation problems.
While making lifestyle changes that improve your weight range may take time, they are essential steps to increase your chances of becoming pregnant.
5. Underlying Medical Conditions
An underlying medical condition is one of the most significant factors affecting fertility. Certain underlying issues can disrupt ovulation and make getting pregnant difficult.
Two of the most common conditions that affect fertility are PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) and endometriosis.
PCOS leads to high levels of androgens and causes an irregular menstrual cycle. Both of these issues will impact a woman’s ovulation.
Endometriosis is when the tissue lining of the uterus grows on the outside. This leads to inflammation and scarring. It can also affect how other reproductive organs function.
These aren’t the only conditions that can affect conception. Any medical condition that causes a hormone imbalance may impact fertility.
Thyroid disorders and autoimmune diseases are also known to cause fertility issues.
6. Age-Related Issues
Another factor affecting a woman’s chance of getting pregnant is her age. Fertility decreases as women age. The eggs’ quality may also decline, which can impair fertility.
Women who are over 35 years of age may have a more difficult time trying to conceive. They will also be at a higher risk of pregnancy complications.
If you are over 35 and trying to get pregnant, seek advice from a fertility specialist.
7. Problem With Fallopian Tubes
A woman’s fallopian tubes are where the egg and semen meet.
If anything is blocking the pathway in the fallopian tubes, it can prevent sperm and egg from connecting. This is one of the main causes of female infertility.
Unfortunately, problems with the fallopian tubes don’t always have symptoms. This leads many women not to realize they have an issue.
A medical professional can perform a specialized X-ray to check if the fallopian tubes are open.
8. Medications
Although rare, certain medications may affect your chance of becoming pregnant. Research shows that antidepressants may lead to complications for women who want to get pregnant.
If you believe medication can be the source of your problem, speaking to your doctor is essential.
You shouldn’t stop taking your prescription medication without medical advice first.
If your medication is causing fertility issues, your doctor may be able to suggest a different drug or treatment.
9. Choice of Lubricant
Choosing a lubricant that’s fertile-friendly is critical if you want to get pregnant.
Many people didn’t realize that the lubricant they were using was the source of their problem. This is because certain types of lubricants contain ingredients that damage sperm.
Some lubricants may alter the pH balance of the woman’s vagina. When this occurs, it creates a poor environment for the sperm.
10. Unexplained Infertility
Unexplained infertility can be frustrating and emotional for couples struggling to conceive. This diagnosis is given when there is no clear explanation for why a couple is having difficulty getting pregnant.
In many cases, the couple has undergone several types of examinations, only to be told that everything appears normal. This can be incredibly disappointing, leaving the couple feeling like they are left with no clear path forward.
Despite not having a clear diagnosis, treatment options are available that can help couples overcome unexplained infertility and start a family.
11. It Just Wasn’t The Right Time
There may not be a problem at all! It’s important to remember that pregnancy doesn’t always happen right away.
Couples may need to try for several months before they are successful. Even if everything is functioning properly, it can take time for sperm to reach and fertilize the egg.
Many factors (such as age, male and female health, and timing of intercourse) can also affect how long it takes to conceive.
Couples need to be patient and keep trying.
Do I Need To Seek Fertility Treatment?
If you have been trying to conceive for a year or longer without luck, it may be an excellent time to consider fertility treatments. Couples struggling with getting pregnant can benefit from the expertise of a fertility specialist.
These experts are trained and experienced in identifying the causes of infertility.
Once a fertility specialist identifies the cause, they should be able to develop a treatment plan based on your problem. They are known to offer various fertility testing options and treatments, which include options like:
- Medications
- Surgery
- Reproductive technologies
- In-vitro fertilization
Infertility doesn’t mean that it’s impossible to get pregnant. There are a range of different options for people who are struggling with their reproductive system and health.
A specialist can provide the right level of guidance and support that couples need at this time to set them on the path to creating a family.
How To Tell If You May Be Infertile
There are many different signs that someone may be experiencing infertility. For women, the most common signs revolve around menstrual cycles.
This includes irregular periods, missed periods, or even painful periods. Women may also experience hormone imbalances, such as excessive androgens (male sex hormone).
The signs of male infertility aren’t as obvious.
When a male is infertile, it’s due to a low sperm count or poor sperm motility. These problems don’t have symptoms that people can notice.
Final Words
There are many reasons why you may not be getting pregnant while ovulating. It’s important to remember that infertility doesn’t always have obvious symptoms to let you know.
If you’re struggling to get pregnant, consult a healthcare provider or fertility specialist to identify the problem and discuss fertility treatments.
Do you have any more questions about why you can’t get pregnant during ovulation? Let us know in the comments below.