Why Can't I Get Pregnant?

The desire to have children is one of the most powerful and important desires couples and families have. Infertility can often create havoc on an otherwise calm and a loving relationship. It is important to know the multiple reasons and causes that may affect your ability to get pregnant. Even incase of the most fertile couples, the chances of conceiving a baby in the first months of trying are normally 25%. That means that roughly about 75% will have to continue trying for some time.

If you want to start a family but are impatient to do so, you may find yourself asking why you can't get pregnant. There are various reasons as to why women may experience difficulty getting pregnant while trying to conceive. Some of the more common reasons are as follows:

• Maternal age - many women wait until they have finished their education and have well-established careers before getting pregnant. Advancing maternal age can reduce the likelihood for conceiving relatively quickly. For every year that you are over the age of 30 your fertility declines steadily.

• Your partner's health and age - Men's fertility also decreases with age, though not as quickly as women's fertility. Men's fertility generally starts to decline after the age of 40.

• Your lifestyle - Several lifestyle factors can affect your ability to conceive. This includes your level of stress, diet, exercise regimen, sleep habits and more. In order to conceive, it is best that you are as healthy as possible. This means limiting alcohol and tobacco consumption, eating the right kind of food, engaging in regular (but not excessive) exercise and also getting plenty of sleep.

• Overly stressed - too much stress may inhibit your chances of conceiving. Whether planning too rigorously to have a baby or working too hard on your job, you may find the more stressed you are the more trouble you will have for conceiving. The same may be true of your partner.

• Type of Clothing - men wearing very tight fitting clothing may produce less sperms than men who wear looser fitting clothes and underwear. This might affect your ability to conceive. In order to help promote greater fertility, it is advisable for men to wear boxers and baggy pants.

• Hormonal Problems - hormonal problems including an over active thyroid or an under active thyroid, and even conditions like polycystic ovarian syndrome or progesterone deficiencies can all lead to conception problems. Some women are able to conceive but their bodies do not produce enough progesterone for sustaining a pregnancy. It is very essential to consult your doctor in such cases.

• Low sperm count - some men have a low sperm count that can make conceiving more difficult. You should have your partner tested so as to rule out this physical condition. Home tests are also available incase your partner is shy about having this test performed.

• Caffeine consumption - if you consume more than 1or 2 cups of coffee every day, you may be reducing your chances of conceiving. Certain studies suggest that any amount of caffeine can possibly interfere with the eggs ability to successfully implant into the uterus, hence preventing a full pregnancy.

Remember that if you are having problems conceiving it is important that you consult with your doctor or your heath care provider to help understand and determine a proper plan of action to help you realize your dreams. Most parents can successfully conceive with proper care and with proper attention to any such factors that may be reducing or inhibiting their chances of successful conception.