Q/ 1) Dear Doctor, how do I know that I am fertile enough to get pregnant? Jenifer
Dear Jenifer,
The best way to know one is fertile is when to try and become pregnant. Several things contribute to a woman’s fertility including the state of hormones, the state of the uterus and fallopian tubes.
At times, it is hard to know that one is infertile especially if they have not been trying to conceive as most of the causes of infertility will not give any signs or symptoms.
One of the signs a woman can get to know that she may struggle to become pregnant, is if the menstrual cycles are very irregular (if one spends months without a period). This can be a sign of hormonal imbalance causing infrequent or no ovulation at all.
For any woman interested in knowing about their fertility status, the following investigations might be helpful.
- Transvaginal (TV) scan to examine the uterus, ovaries, and rest of the pelvic cavity. This can help us predict if one ovulates or not.
- Hormonal profile on the second or third day of her menstruation period. This test is one of the most common ways to test hormone levels. It can detect testosterone, estrogen, cortisol, and thyroid levels. Hormone testing is the best way to determine if your hormones are adversely affecting your health.
- Fallopian tube/hysterosalpingography test (HSG) to know about the fallopian tubes. This is an X-ray test to outline the internal shape of the uterus and show whether the fallopian tubes are blocked.
- Ultimately, it is important that you understand how ovulation works. Ovulation is just another normal function of our body and it occurs when the egg also known as an ovum, oocyte, or female gamete is released from the ovary. If your periods usually last around 28 days, you will be ovulating 14 days after the beginning of your menstruation cycle.
- A woman is most fertile during this period, and during this time, there are several changes she may notice on her body. Such as: change in vaginal discharge, cramps, sexual appetite, and change in body temperature. However, not all women experience these changes.
