UNDERSTANDING FERTILITY
Your Parenthood Journey Starts Here
Fertility is a personal journey, shaped by many factors that influence the ability to conceive and carry a pregnancy. Gaining an understanding of how fertility works, in both women and men, is the first step toward making informed choices, finding support, and exploring the right options for building a family.
How Natural Pregnancy Happens
Natural pregnancy is a remarkable biological process that unfolds through a series of finely tuned steps within the female and male reproductive systems.
In women, ovulation occurs when a mature egg is released from one of the ovaries, usually around the middle of the menstrual cycle. If sexual intercourse takes place at this time, sperm carrying genetic material from the male partner may reach the egg in the fallopian tube, leading to fertilisation.
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Once a sperm successfully penetrates the egg, a fertilised egg, or zygote, is formed. As the zygote divides and develops, it travels down the fallopian tube to the uterus, where it becomes a blastocyst and attaches to the uterine lining in a process called implantation. From here, it develops into an embryo and later a fetus, supported by the placenta that connects mother and baby.
Over the course of approximately nine months, this process culminates in birth
Male Reproduction
Male fertility depends on the ability to produce healthy sperm in sufficient numbers and to deliver them effectively during intercourse.
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Sperm production, known as spermatogenesis, begins at puberty and continues throughout life in the testes. Once formed, sperm travel through the male reproductive tract and combine with fluid from the prostate and seminal vesicles to form semen.
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During ejaculation, semen is released into the female reproductive tract, where sperm begin their journey toward the egg.
For conception to be possible, sperm must be present in adequate quantities, have the right shape, and be able to move effectively.
When these elements align, male fertility plays its crucial role in creating the chance for pregnancy.
What is Infertility?
Infertility is defined as the inability to achieve pregnancy after one year of regular, unprotected intercourse.
For women over 35, the timeframe is reduced to six months. Infertility may also describe the inability to carry a pregnancy to full term. Importantly, infertility is not limited to women alone; it affects both men and women and may arise from a range of underlying factors.
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Age is one of the most significant influences on fertility. In women, both egg quality and quantity decline over time. By age 35, reproductive potential has decreased by roughly half compared to age 25. This natural decline can make conception more challenging and carry implications for pregnancy outcomes, including higher risks of complications.
While infertility can feel overwhelming, understanding its meaning is the first step toward finding clarity. Every couple’s journey is unique, and with the right guidance and care, many can discover solutions that lead to parenthood.
When to Seek Help
Couples are encouraged to seek fertility care if pregnancy has not occurred after a year of unprotected intercourse, or after six months if the woman is over 35.
Seeking help is also advised if there are known medical conditions affecting fertility, such as irregular menstrual cycles, endometriosis, pelvic infections, or prior surgery in women, or a history of testicular injury, surgery, or urological concerns in men.
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An early consultation can provide answers, ease uncertainty, and open the way to effective treatment options tailored to each couple’s circumstances. Taking this step is not only about seeking medical care but also about finding support, reassurance, and hope for the future.