Why Can't You Get Pregnant?

Sex life

While it is obvious you need to have sex to become pregnant, there might be a chance that you simply are not having enough of it to increase your chances of getting pregnant. Not having enough sex when trying to conceive can be a common and overlooked reason that might be hindering your chances of becoming pregnant.

Stress

Stress can have a number of negative effects on the body which can make it more difficult to conceive. While some stress is normal and necessary, if you are overly stressed, meaning stressed on a daily basis, then you want to consider finding ways to help you relax. Stress is also negative for the baby once you do become pregnant and can have negative effects on the emotional and physical developments of the baby.

Weight

Whether you are over or under weight, the weight can be affecting your ability to conceive. Being underweight makes it difficult for the body to stay nourish; being overweight can cause a number of healthy problems that can affect the reproductive system, so It is important that you maintain a healthy weight prior to trying getting pregnant and throughout your pregnancy.

Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a medical condition that can be painful and make it impossible for a woman to become pregnant. This condition occurs where the endometrial tissue will implant outside the uterine cavity. This can cause the tubes to become blocked.

Ovulation Irregularity

If you have irregular periods, this also means your ovulation times are more likely to be inconsistent. Why am I not getting pregnant? It can be the result of not knowing when you are ovulating. Since you can only become pregnant while ovulation, it is important to know when this occurs. You do not have to have sex strictly on the day of ovulation, sperm can survive up to three days, giving you more chances of fertilizing an egg if you have sex on the days leading up to your ovulation day.

Polycystic Ovulation Syndrome (PCOS)

PCOS can be a complex issue that affects every woman differently. There are a wide range of symptoms and issues that make up this syndrome from abnormal ovulation and menstrual cycles to acne and weight gain. There are a number of ways this can be treated, but it varies from patient to patient depending on symptoms.

Luteal Phase Defect

When your body does not produce enough progesterone, the lining of the uterus may not be strong enough to support the fertilized egg. Low progesterone can be one of the reasons you may be having a difficult time conceiving.

Not Enough Vitamin D

Vitamin D deficiency is common among most people, but not getting enough when you are trying to get pregnant can be causing you problems. Vitamin D plays an important role through a number of the fertility processes, one of which includes balancing the sex hormones.

Gum Disease

Varies oral health problems can have an effect on fertility and make it much harder to conceive. This is because the bacteria of the mouth cause irregularity in the reproductive organs which can lead to taking months longer to conceive or delaying the positive result of a pregnancy test. 

Block Tubes

Blocked fallopian tubes tend to be the leading reason why it is difficult for women to become pregnant. Blocked tubes can make it difficult for the woman’s egg and the man's sperm to meet and become fertilized. Hydrosalpinx is the most common cause of blocked tube.

Lubrication

Why am I not getting pregnant? This may have nothing to do with you, but instead, with what you're using to get into the mood. Most lubricants that are used to enhance your bedroom experience can make it difficult for sperm to move through the woman's reproductive tract.

Lack of Sleep

If you are not getting enough sleep, you put extra stress on the body. As mentioned earlier, stress can cause complication when trying to conceive. Lack of sleep also can weaken the immune system which increases the chances of infections that can have negative effects on the reproductive organs.

Other Causes

• Tubal disease

• Smoking

• Anemia

• Hyperthyroidism

• Premature menopause

• Pollutants

• Diabetes

• Kidney disease

• Drug use

• Urinary tract infections

• Age

• Male infertility

One of the first steps to determining what is causing infertility is a physical exam and evaluation of medical history. Additionally, a number of tests may also be performed, which can include:

• Checking hormone levels.

• Pap smear.

• Evaluations of LH levels.

• Reading of the basal body temperature to check for days of ovulation. This can be a process that is ongoing for a few months.

• Endometrial biopsy may be performed if the basal chart readings are unclear.

• An ultrasound may be performed to check for cysts and fibroids.

• Post coital test.

More complex test may also be required, such as:

• Laparoscopy - This type of testing involves making a small incision near the pubic bone where a tube can be inserted with a lens attached to it. If your doctor suspects that you have endometriosis or scarring to the fallopian tubes or ovaries, he will run this test which will require anesthesia.

• Hysterosalpingogram - Why am I not getting pregnant? You may discover the underlying reason with this more complex test. This test is performed to look at the conditions of the fallopian tubes. During this procedure, the cervix is clamped and dye is inserted into the woman's womb through a needle. Once the dye is released and X-ray is taken to see if the dye is escaping through the fallopian tubes. If no dye escapes them, there is damage or blockage to the fallopian tubes.