Understanding your fertility

Dr. Richard Scott and American Fertility Association's Pamela Madsen reported in their survey report, What Mother Didn't Tell You About Fertility, Because No One Ever Told Her, that nearly half of the respondents thought overall health is an indicator of a person's ability to conceive. That's a myth. Although smoking and weight can affect fertility, a person's overall fitness level (or regularity of period) doesn't equate to ease of conception.

The primary reason the fertility business is thriving today is because more people are postponing childbearing until the late 30s, when the quality of remaining eggs is on a quick decline.

As we learned from a panel of 15 fertility specialists, there are three primary factors involved in a woman's ability to produce eggs for conception.

1) Age -- Both quantity and quality of eggs is reduced as a woman gets older, especially after the age of 37. Every woman's egg production will differ. Some have diminished capacity earlier; some later.
2) Size of ovaries -- An ovary that is not producing eggs will be smaller than one that is producing more eggs. This can be evaluated by ultrasound if necessary.
3) Production of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) -- The pituitary gland produces FSH, which stimulates ovarian follicles to grow. Some women need more help to produce eggs. Especially for a woman over the age of 35, determining FSH level before costly insemination attempts is advisable.

adapted from Choice Mom Guide to Fertility