Parenthood is one of life’s greatest joys! However, repeated disappointments while trying to conceive can be challenging to navigate as a couple. Rest assured that you are not alone in this regard. About 15% of couples in Singapore experience problems with infertility for various reasons. So, if you and your spouse have been trying to get pregnant for more than 6 months with little luck, you may want to consider seeking fertility support – especially if you or your partner is in your mid-30’s or older. That is because your fertility and the success of fertility treatments are affected by age.
Understanding Fertility
It is essential for couples to understand how reproduction works, what factors affect it, and what they can do to give themselves the best chance of conceiving naturally. However, fertility issues remain a sensitive topic to broach among couples in Singapore, which explains why many are often unaware of signs that could indicate infertility problems.
What Is Infertility?
A healthy weight is crucial to both male and female fertility. Therefore, it is advisable for both parties to adopt a well-balanced and nutritious diet to maintain a healthy weight. We also recommend that women increase their intake of folic acid daily (to around 400mcg) and multivitamins for general health.
Possible Causes Of Infertility
1. The age of the woman
Age is one of the most crucial factors affecting a woman’s fertility. That is because women are born with all the eggs they will ever have in their lifetime. However, as a woman ages, the quality and quantity of eggs decline. Even though menopause does not occur in women until the early 50s, most women will notice a decline in fertility after the age of 35. As a woman reaches around 40 years of age, the drop in fertility becomes more profound. Therefore, it is advisable for women approaching 35 years of age to seek fertility treatment as soon as possible if they are still struggling to conceive. This need becomes more urgent as they near 40 years old.
2. The age of the man
Even though men continue to produce sperm throughout their lives, the quality of the sperm declines with age. Older men also have a higher risk of miscarriages. Studies have discovered that the risk of miscarriages among women with male partners over the age of 45 is twice as high as those with partners under the age of 25.
3. Weight
Being over or underweight can adversely affect fertility for both men and women. Men who are underweight experience lower-quality sperm. Meanwhile, overweight men usually have lower sperm counts. As for women, those who are overweight have a higher incidence of menstrual dysfunction and anovulation. Conversely, women who are underweight may have difficulties producing estrogen, which can cause irregular menstrual cycles. As a result, they may stop ovulating and getting their period.
4. Hormone levels
Specific hormones, like Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), and Luteinizing Hormone (LH), can affect the reproductive cycle. When these hormones are imbalanced, they can disrupt the normal reproduction process. For example, elevated levels of androgens, such as testosterone, can prevent women from ovulating regularly, resulting in infertility. Meanwhile, low testosterone in men can affect sperm production and quality.
5. Reproductive organ issues
Reproductive organ disorders can result in male and female infertility. For men, issues such as varicocele – which causes swelling in the veins that drain the testicle – can lead to reduced sperm quality. Meanwhile, women may experience health issues like Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), which causes their ovaries to have small follicles, thus preventing their eggs from maturing.
Planning For Pregnancy
Starting a family is a significant and exciting decision. Beyond seeking fertility support, here are several things you can do to improve your chances of conceiving naturally.
1. Understand Your Fertile Window
The timing of when you and your partner have sexual intercourse can affect your chances of conceiving. A woman’s “fertile window” – the window of opportunity to get pregnant during a normal menstrual cycle – varies and is dependent on her recent menstrual periods. It is advisable to have unprotected sex one or two days before ovulation and have regular intercourse two to three times a week to improve your chances of conception.
2. Improve Your Diet
A healthy weight is crucial to both male and female fertility. Therefore, it is advisable for both parties to adopt a well-balanced and nutritious diet to maintain a healthy weight. We also recommend that women increase their intake of folic acid daily (to around 400mcg) and multivitamins for general health.
3. Maintain A Healthy Lifestyle
Fertility and health are closely linked. Therefore, a healthy lifestyle is essential for enhancing your chances of conceiving. Naturally, you and your partner should exercise regularly. Meanwhile, avoid harmful substances like cigarettes. Both of you can still drink alcohol but in moderation.
4. Take Care Of Your Emotional Well-Being
High levels of stress can affect a woman’s ability to conceive. Too much stress affects the body, leading to increased cortisol levels, which can result in infertility.
Our fertility massage for women, which combines Western methodology with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) processes, targets vital acupressure points in your body, particularly the areas surrounding the reproductive organs, allowing your body to enter a state of relaxation, thus reducing cortisol levels.
Simultaneously, our fertility massage aims to improve blood circulation and flow, which are two essential aspects of fertility, enhancing your chances of conceiving the child you have been longing for.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Causes Infertility In Women?
There are numerous reasons that a woman might be experiencing difficulties in conceiving. These could be congenital or infertility in women due to different risk factors.
Getting pregnant is a process requiring the use of multiple systems and organs within our bodies. If there’s even damage to any of them, it could lead to infertility. The uterus, ovaries, Fallopian tubes, and cervix are the part of most vital pieces in this process. Conditions with the fallopian tubes and endometriosis are among the most common reasons for infertility. Ovulation conditions, such as polycystic ovarian syndrome, together with cervical and uterine abnormalities could make it hard for them to conceive successfully.
Can Fertility Massage Help Me Get Pregnant?
Fertility massage plays a very crucial role in releasing stress. Numerous studies have found a relationship between stress and low fertility. Stress, for example, can disrupt the hormonal system, postponing ovulation or prohibiting the fertilized egg from implanting. You can boost your chances of pregnancy and staying pregnant by decreasing your stress levels with a fertility massage.
Why Should You Choose Pregnancy Massage Over Regular Massage?
The abdominal cavity’s internal organs are the main focus of a pregnancy massage, which also adjusts the pelvis and assists in promoting circulation in the sacral and pelvic regions. Additionally, it improves the function of the stomach and digestive system, strengthening the immune system. Frequent fertility massage can be very helpful to those who will undergo IVF treatment.
