Pregnancy can be one of the most wonderful, exciting things to happen to you and your family. Unfortunately, for some women, it can be challenging to become pregnant. Infertility is a serious issue for many women of all ages. What are the factors affecting fertility? What affects egg quality? Can a person with hormonal imbalance be pregnant? Here are the answers you need to the most common questions about female fertility hormones and fertility in general.

What Are the Factors Affecting Fertility?

Many different factors affecting fertility can limit or expand your ability to have children. Some of them can be improved with lifestyle changes, but others, like age, cannot be altered. Some of the factors that impact fertility include:

  1. Age is the single most important fertility factor for most women. The number of viable eggs you have in your womb will decrease over your life, and the loss will accelerate as you enter your late 30s. Beyond the number of eggs decreasing, the quality of available eggs will also decrease and make it harder to get pregnant. Age is one of the biggest answers to what affects egg quality. 
  2. Another one of the factors affecting fertility is past pregnancies. If you were able to conceive with the same partner in the past, it is a good indicator that you will be able to again. 
  3. Female fertility hormones can be impacted by weight. Women who are overweight or obese typically take longer to conceive, even if they have a regulated menstrual cycle. Can a person with hormonal imbalance be pregnant? Yes, but it is best to remedy the balance beforehand. 
  4. Smoking is a fertility factor, and women who smoke are almost three times less likely to get pregnant soon after starting to try to conceive. It can also reduce the number of eggs in your ovaries. Unfortunately, this means that even after you stop smoking, those eggs will not return. 
  5. Excessive alcohol consumption can decrease sexual performance in men, and some studies have found that it can be a fertility factor for women as well. 
  6. When considering what affects egg quality, you should also think about pre-existing medical conditions. Everything from polycystic ovarian syndrome to vitamin deficiencies can make it more challenging to conceive. 

What Affects Egg Quality?

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Aside from ensuring a proper balance of female fertility hormones, you should also consider what affects egg quality. The viability of your eggs is a key fertility factor, as there is a short conception window, and healthy eggs will have higher chances of success. The right balance of female fertility hormones will keep your menstrual cycle regular, and your body can support egg growth and fetal health.

Your diet can also help keep your eggs durable and healthy. Focus on foods that contain B vitamins, protein, zinc, and omega 3s. Vitamin D is also one of the significant factors affecting fertility. You can consume all of these substances naturally through your diet or through supplementation and over-the-counter vitamins.

Can a Person with Hormonal Imbalance Be Pregnant?

One of the most common questions that women with hormonal imbalances ask is, “Can a person with hormonal imbalance be pregnant?” The answer to that question will vary based on your unique situation. Many conditions that lead to hormone problems are fixable and treatable..

For example, if you have a thyroid issue, the proper medication could reverse it or treat it and thereby improve your chances of successful conception. If you are concerned about a person with a hormonal imbalance being pregnant, you should work with your doctor.

What Hormones Are Most Important for Conception?

There are many different types of hormones that help keep us balanced, and some do not impact fertility at all. However, others are crucial for keeping bodily functions like menstruation and ovulation on track. Some of the hormones that are important for fertility include:

  • LH, or luteinizing hormone, is the hormone that ovulation kits measure. LH is what tells your ovaries to release an egg for fertilization. 
  • FSH, or follicle-stimulating hormone, keeps your menstruation and ovulation cycles on track. It also makes sure that your eggs are healthy. 
  • Progesterone is a female hormone that ensures that the body is ready for conception and growing the baby. If you have had multiple miscarriages in the past, there is a good chance that your progesterone levels might be one of the underlying issues. 
  • AMH, or anti-Mullerian hormone, helps maintain all the eggs in your ovaries that are still immature. Whenever you have fertility testing performed that measures the number of eggs you have remaining, it tracks the level of AMH in your body. 
  • Prolactin is the hormone that most women associate with milk production after the baby has been born, but it also helps in your body when you are menstruating to keep your cycle on track. 
  • Thyroid hormones like T3 and T4 are important for your general health and conception chances. Your thyroid performance is connected to your reproductive organs, so if there are problems with your thyroid, there might also be issues with your ovarian and menstrual health. 

Is There Any Way to Improve Your Fertility?

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Yes, you can improve your chances of conception by working on the lifestyle factors that can affect fertility. For example, losing 5-10% of your body weight can radically improve your odds of getting pregnant and staying healthy if you are overweight. If your male partner is overweight, he might also have poor sperm quality that could be improved through weight loss.

If you are a smoker, you should consider stopping or tapering down your cigarette usage over time. It will make it harder to conceive if you or your partner smoke. Drinking less alcohol can also improve your conception chances, but studies have shown that your fertility should not be impacted as long as you do not drink in large quantities frequently.

When you have pre-existing medical conditions, taking care of them with help from a doctor can help improve your fertility and the health of your body. Some of the medical issues that can impact fertility and be improved with proper treatment include:

  • Hormonal disorders like PCOS
  • Thyroid disorders like hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism
  • Endometriosis
  • Early menopause
  • Uterine abnormalities, like fibroids
  • Pelvic adhesions

Working alongside your care team can ensure that you receive high-quality care and boost your odds of a healthy pregnancy.

Are You Ready to Conceive and Start Your Family? Work with Women’s Care of Bradenton

Fertility challenges can be frustrating, and no woman should need to go through the process without the support they deserve. At Women’s Care of Bradenton, we are a compassionate team of professionals who can support you throughout every step of your health journey. We offer a comprehensive range of women’s health services, including gynecological, obstetrical, infertility, and more.

If you are ready to get the support you need for your fertility journey or want to schedule an appointment to talk about your gynecological health, we are here for you. Request an appointment using the free, convenient button above or by calling (941) 500-3100. You deserve the life of your dreams, and we are here to help you build it.