Over 8 in 10 couples conceive within 1 year if they have regular (around 2-3 times a week) unprotected sex.  Of those who do not conceive in the first year, over 50% will be successful within the second year.  You can increase your chances of getting pregnant by living a more health lifestyle by

• stopping smoking
• eating more healthily and reducing your weight to achieve optimum BMI (https://blog.teleme.co/2018/08/17/let-nutrition-determine-the-way-your-age/)
• being active and doing some form of exercise (https://blog.teleme.co/2018/07/10/how-much-should-we-exercise-daily/)
• keeping any medical condition (such as blood pressure or diabetes) under good control

If however, you have difficulty conceiving after months of trying, your doctor may advise you and your partner to undergo some fertility tests.  These tests are divided to those for the male and for the female partner and the results will help your doctor plan the treatment.

Click to view YO HomeSpermTest video on Fertility Facts

A. FERTILITY TESTS FOR MALE PARTNER

SEMEN ANALYSIS examines 4 parameters:

• Sperm concentration.  The normal sperm concentration is at least 15 million sperms for every millilitre (ml) of semen
• Sperm Vitality. The percentage of live sperm in the sample should be at least 58% (meaning at least 58 out 100 sperms should be alive)
• Sperm Motility.  At least 40% of the sperms should be moving. The movements are further graded according to how fast as well as the direction of the sperm movement
• Sperm Morphology. At least 4% of the sperm should look normal

Click to view PiedmontHealthcareLivingBetter video on Infertility in Women

B. FERTILITY TESTS FOR FEMALE PARTNER

• Blood tests to check whether the hormones (such as anti-Mullerian hormone, thyroid, prolactin or sex hormones) are normal.  Blood test for women may be taken around day 2 to 4 of menses
• Ovarian Reserve Test.  This is done using an Ultrasound Scan to count the total number of ‘resting eggs’  (Antral Follicle Count) in both ovaries as well as with another test called AMH (Anti-Mullerian Hormone). Both these tests measure the potential for the ovaries to produce eggs naturally and during an ART treatment
• Uterus Lining.  This is done using an Ultrasound Scan during mid-cycle to make ensure there are no problems with the lining of the uterus which is crucial for successful embryo implantation
• Fallopian tube test.  Fallopian tube carries the egg that are ovulated every month into the uterus. If the tubes are blocked, the chances to conceive naturally will be affected. This is done using a Hysterosalpingogram (HSG) just after your period and before you ovulate.
• Hysteroscopy or Laparoscopy to check on the health of uterus or ovaries and to look for diseases such as ovarian cyst, endometriosis, fibroids or scarring

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