Best Time To Get Pregnant: Ovulation & Factors Affecting It, Treatment Options

Deciding to have a child is a significant and life-changing decision. Once the decision is made, it is important to consider the best time to conceive. In this article, we will explore the best time to get pregnant and the factors that can impact fertility.

When is the best time to get pregnant?

The best time to get pregnant varies from person to person, and there are a variety of factors that can influence the timing of conception. To understand the best time to get pregnant, it is important to understand the menstrual cycle. The menstrual cycle is the monthly hormonal cycle that prepares the uterus for pregnancy. It begins on the first day of menstruation and ends on the first day of the next menstruation.

The menstrual cycle is controlled by the hypothalamus and pituitary gland in the brain, which produce hormones that stimulate the ovaries to produce estrogen and progesterone. These hormones regulate the development and release of the egg, as well as the thickening and shedding of the uterine lining.

The menstrual cycle is divided into three phases: 

i) Follicular Phase 

The follicular phase begins on the first day of menstruation and lasts for approximately 14 days. During this phase, the hypothalamus and pituitary gland produce follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) to stimulate the growth of follicles in the ovaries. These follicles contain eggs, and as they grow, they produce estrogen, which thickens the uterine lining.

ii) Ovulatory Phase

The ovulatory phase occurs approximately halfway through the menstrual cycle and lasts for about 24-48 hours. During this phase, the pituitary gland produces a surge of LH, which causes the dominant follicle to rupture and release the mature egg into the fallopian tube.

iii) Luteal Phase

The luteal phase begins after ovulation and lasts for approximately 14 days. During this phase, the ruptured follicle forms a structure called the corpus luteum, which produces progesterone to thicken the uterine lining and prepare it for implantation. If the egg is fertilized, it will implant in the uterine lining and begin to develop into a fetus.

What is the best time to get pregnant and how to increase the chances of getting pregnant?

The best time to get pregnant is during the ovulatory phase of the menstrual cycle. This is when the mature egg is released from the ovary and can be fertilized by sperm in the fallopian tube. The ovulatory phase typically occurs around day 14 of a 28-day menstrual cycle but can vary from person to person and from cycle to cycle.

To increase the chances of getting pregnant, it is important to have intercourse during the ovulatory phase. This can be determined by tracking the menstrual cycle and monitoring changes in cervical mucus, basal body temperature, and LH levels. There are also ovulation prediction kits available that can help predict ovulation based on changes in LH levels in the urine.

What are the common factors that affect fertility?

Fertility is a complex and sensitive topic for many individuals and couples who are trying to conceive. While some people may be able to conceive easily, others may face challenges due to various factors that can affect fertility. The most common factors that affect fertility include:

1. Age 

Age is one of the most significant factors that can impact fertility. Women are born with a finite number of eggs, and as they age, the number and quality of eggs decrease. This decrease in egg quantity and quality can lead to difficulty in conceiving and a higher risk of miscarriage.

For women, fertility begins to decline after the age of 30, and the decline accelerates after the age of 35. By age 40, a woman's chance of getting pregnant each month is less than 5%. Men's fertility also declines with age, although it typically declines at a slower rate than women's fertility.

2. Lifestyle Habits 

Lifestyle habits, such as smoking, alcohol consumption, and drug use, can also have a significant impact on fertility. These habits can decrease the quality and quantity of sperm and eggs, making it more difficult to conceive. Smoking has been shown to reduce fertility in both men and women, and can also increase the risk of miscarriage and birth defects.

3. Alcohol 

Alcohol consumption can also affect fertility, especially in women. Drinking alcohol can disrupt the menstrual cycle, leading to irregular periods and difficulty in ovulating. In men, excessive alcohol consumption can reduce sperm count and motility, making it more difficult to fertilize an egg.

4. Drug use

Drug use, including both recreational and prescription drugs, can also impact fertility. Some drugs, such as chemotherapy drugs, can cause temporary or permanent infertility. Other drugs, such as opioids and anabolic steroids, can reduce sperm and egg production.

5. Medical Conditions 

Several medical conditions can affect fertility in both men and women. Some of the most common conditions include:

i) Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a condition in which the tissue that lines the uterus grows outside of the uterus, causing inflammation and scarring. This can make it more difficult for the egg to implant in the uterus, leading to infertility.

ii) Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

PCOS is a hormonal disorder that affects women of reproductive age. Women with PCOS may have irregular periods and an overproduction of androgens (male hormones), which can lead to difficulty in ovulating.

iii) Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

STIs, such as chlamydia and gonorrhea, can cause scarring and inflammation in the reproductive organs, leading to infertility.

iv) Thyroid Disorders

Thyroid disorders, such as hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, can disrupt the hormonal balance in the body, leading to difficulty in ovulating and low sperm count in men.

v) Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

PID is an infection of the reproductive organs that can cause scarring and inflammation, leading to infertility.

vi) Unexplained Infertility 

In some cases, couples may experience difficulty in conceiving despite no identifiable medical conditions or lifestyle habits that could affect fertility. This is known as unexplained infertility and can be a frustrating and emotional experience for couples. It is estimated that approximately 15% of couples experience unexplained infertility.

If you're trying to conceive, knowing the best time to get pregnant can greatly increase your chances of success. Ovulation, the release of an egg from the ovaries, is the most important factor in determining when to have intercourse to maximize the chances of conception.

 

What is Ovulation?

Ovulation occurs when a mature egg is released from the ovary and travels down the fallopian tube, where it can be fertilized by sperm. Ovulation typically occurs once a month, although the timing can vary from cycle to cycle.

The menstrual cycle begins on the first day of the period and ends on the day before the next period starts. Ovulation usually occurs around day 14 of a 28-day cycle, but this can vary from woman to woman. Some women may ovulate earlier or later in their cycle, and the length of the menstrual cycle can also vary.

How to track ovulation?

To increase your chances of getting pregnant, it's important to know when you're ovulating. There are several methods you can use to track ovulation:

1. Calendar Method 

This involves tracking the length of your menstrual cycle and estimating when you will ovulate based on the average length of your cycle. For example, if you have a 28-day cycle, you may ovulate around day 14.

2. Basal Body Temperature Method

This involves taking your temperature every morning before getting out of bed and tracking changes in your temperature throughout your menstrual cycle. Ovulation causes a slight increase in basal body temperature, which can indicate when you're ovulating.

3. Cervical Mucus Method

This involves tracking changes in the amount and consistency of cervical mucus throughout your menstrual cycle. Around ovulation, cervical mucus becomes thin and stretchy, like egg whites.

4. Ovulation Predictor Kits

These kits detect the surge in luteinizing hormone (LH) that occurs before ovulation. You can purchase ovulation predictor kits at most drugstores and use them at home to determine when you're ovulating.

When Is the Best Time to Have Sex to Get Pregnant?

The best time to get pregnant is during the 5-day period leading up to ovulation and the day of ovulation itself. This is known as the fertile window. Sperm can survive in the female reproductive tract for up to 5 days, so having intercourse during this window can increase the chances of conception.

For women with a 28-day cycle, the fertile window is usually between days 10 and 15 of the cycle. However, since the timing of ovulation can vary from cycle to cycle, it's important to track ovulation to determine the best time to have intercourse.

It's also important to note that fertility declines with age, especially for women. Women are born with a finite number of eggs, and as they age, the number and quality of eggs decrease. This decrease in egg quantity and quality can lead to difficulty in conceiving and a higher risk of miscarriage. Women over the age of 35 may want to consider seeking medical advice if they haven't conceived after 6 months of trying.

What are the treatments available for infertility?

Infertility is a common issue affecting many couples trying to conceive. Fortunately, there are various treatment options available that can help increase the chances of pregnancy. 

1. Fertility drugs 

Fertility drugs are medications that help stimulate ovulation in women or increase sperm production in men. These drugs are often the first-line treatment for infertility and are usually taken orally or injected. 

Clomiphene citrate (Clomid) is a common fertility drug that works by stimulating the release of hormones that trigger ovulation. Gonadotropins, another type of fertility drug, work by stimulating the ovaries to produce more eggs.

2. Intrauterine insemination (IUI) 

IUI is a procedure in which sperm is inserted directly into the uterus using a thin, flexible catheter. This procedure is often recommended for couples with mild male infertility, unexplained infertility, or cervical factor infertility.

3. In vitro fertilization (IVF)

 

IVF is a procedure in which eggs are removed from the ovaries and fertilized with sperm in a laboratory. The resulting embryos are then transferred into the uterus. IVF is often recommended for couples with severe male infertility, blocked fallopian tubes, or unexplained infertility.

4. Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) 

ICSI is a procedure in which a single sperm is injected directly into an egg in a laboratory. The resulting embryo is then transferred into the uterus. ICSI is often recommended for couples with severe male infertility or who have previously failed IVF.

5. Assisted Hatching 

Assisted hatching is a procedure in which a small hole is made in the outer layer of an embryo to help it implant in the uterus. This procedure is often recommended for women over the age of 38 or for couples with previous failed IVF attempts.

6. Donor sperm or eggs 

Donor sperm or eggs can be used to achieve pregnancy in couples where one partner has a genetic disorder or if there is no viable sperm or egg available.

7. Surrogacy 

Surrogacy is an option for couples where the woman is unable to carry a pregnancy to term due to medical reasons. A surrogate mother is implanted with an embryo created from the intended parents' sperm and egg.

8. Surgery 

Surgery may be recommended for couples with anatomical abnormalities such as blocked fallopian tubes, uterine fibroids, or endometriosis. Surgery can help improve fertility by correcting these abnormalities.

9. Lifestyle changes 

Lifestyle changes such as losing weight, quitting smoking, and reducing alcohol consumption can help improve fertility in both men and women. Stress reduction techniques such as yoga and meditation can also be helpful.

Infertility can be a frustrating and stressful experience, but there are various treatment options available that can help increase the chances of pregnancy. The choice of treatment will depend on the underlying cause of infertility, the age of the couple, and other factors. It's important to work closely with a fertility specialist to determine the best treatment option for you.

Also, read other health-related articles :

• Non-Stress Test (NST) Pregnancy - Purpose, Benefits, and Risks

• Pregnancy at 40 weeks - Signs of True Labor Pain

• Ectopic Pregnancy - What are the Signs, Symptoms, and Causes?

• 8 common tests during the third trimester of pregnancy

Disclaimer: This content is intended for general information only and should not be used as the basis of patient treatment. The given content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, treatment, or any diagnosis. Always consult a doctor for more information. Our website doesn't claim responsibility for this information.