Wondering why you are not getting pregnant or conceiving even after trying several times? Well, there might be numerous reasons behind this, which might not be catching you attention. While having sex on a regular basis is definitely enjoyable, it might turn into potential displeasure when you are planning to adorn parenthood yet every time being let down after the act. However, one thing that you must keep in mind is that even healthy couples that do not face regular complications have approximately a 25% chance of conceiving, every month. Normally, it takes about 3 to 4 attempts for a normal couple to conceive. Hence, it might require for you to wait for about 4 months to successfully conceive. If, for you, it is taking much longer than the normal time range, these are the possible reasons that you should look into:

11 Possible Reasons for not Getting Pregnant: 

Lack of coordination between ovulation and intercourse

One of the most common causes of couples not being able to conceive is the lack of coordination between the periods of ovulation and sexual intercourse. This usually happens due to poor calculation of time. If you have intercourse on the day of ovulation, you will most likely not get pregnant. According to gynaecologists, the most suitable time to have sex for getting pregnant is the day before you start ovulating. The sperm released, can travel up to the fallopian tube for receiving the egg. A sperm can survive inside your body for about 5 days, and the egg for about 24 hours. The proper way to calculate this is to take the first day of your menstruation as day 1 of the cycle. From then, have regular sex between day 7 to day 22.

Overuse of lubricants

Store-based lubricants are available in different forms, all safe to use, but using them too much can result in a distortion in the nature of your body’s egg production. Commercial lubricants also affect the production of sperms and reduce their count by neatly 60%. It is better to ask your gynaecologist and get some recommendations about natural lubricants like canola oil.

Unhealthy BMI

The body’s ability to conceive depends largely on your weight, among other things. Among women who are underweight, there are possibilities of irregularities in the hypothalamus. This might affect the menstrual cycle and hence lead to poor functioning of the reproductive system. Among women who are overweight, there is the possibility of a distorted level of oestrogen that is required to bind the necessary protein. Visit the doctor for a proper diet chart to follow, and reach an ideal weight before trying to conceive again.

Lack of vitamin D

For balancing your sex hormones and stimulate them, an adequate level of vitamin D is required to be present in your body. Many women who do not meet the bare minimum requirement of this vitamin in their blood, take much longer to conceive. Sunlight, fruits, and supplements are the most common ways to boosting the presence of vitamin D in your body.

Thyroid

Both hypothyroid as well as hyperthyroid lead to a reduced rate in the production of pregnancy hormones. At times, women with hyperthyroid miss out on their menstrual cycle for about 3 or 4 months in a row. Women with hypothyroid tend to experience a prolonged period of delay in the maturation of a single egg follicle. If you cannot conceive for more than 4 months, talk to your doctor to see whether your thyroid gland requires attention.

PCOS

This is known as polycystic ovarian syndrome. Nowadays, more than half the women in the world suffer from this syndrome that negatively affects their menstrual cycle and ability to get pregnant. Women with this syndrome have a higher level of testosterone and a lower level of progesterone. This condition prevents the proper development of egg follicles inside their bodies. This can, however, be treated with the help of medicines and hormonal treatments.

High stress

Tension and high stress levels can have an adverse effect on your menstrual cycle and thereby the ability to conceive. An excessive level of cortisol – the stress hormone – among women can lead to lack of proper or regular ovulation. Hence, you have to first soothe your mind and be ready for taking over all the responsibilities that are about to come on your way. Visit a psychoanalyst if required, and then talk to your gynaecologist about your stress. They can help you cope with this tension.

Smoking

Among men, smoking results in the deterioration in sperm density and semen quality. And, among women, it results in thinning of the uterine wall and production of eggs for conception. Many women, in their 20s, who smoke are at a much higher risk of not conceiving, experiencing miscarriages, or giving birth to babies with physical defects.

Drinking

Too much consumption of alcohol and strong caffeine can negatively affect the body’s ability to make the egg combine with the sperm and culminate into a foetus. While you can still get back to drinking moderately, it is best to avoid this practice while genuinely trying to get pregnant.

Too much pollution

Staying exposed to too many chemicals in the atmosphere, too, affects your body’s ability to conceive by maturing an egg. Harmful toxins like plastic, chlorine, methane, lead, and many other things are likely to affect both men’s and women’s reproductive health. With men, it is the reduction in the production of semen.
Too much exposure to electronic devices: Staying close to electronic devices all the time is one of the greatest misdemeanours today. The constant radiation from these devices can cause long-term damage to the sperms and distort the regularity of the menstrual cycle. Keep these devices away as much as possible, if you want to improve your reproductive health!

Keeping these plausible causes in mind, you should visit the doctor and ask for natural remedies or medical support to help you conceive. However, a few changes in your regular lifestyle can also contribute largely towards an improved reproductive health and a better sex life!