Most couples are unaware of factors that could be causing infertility (Photo: iStock)

 

Having kids isn’t always an automatic process for everyone. Some people are lucky to conceive immediately but for others, this can be a struggle.

This is more confusing when you and your partner are healthy and still within reproductive age. However, other than infertility, most couples are unaware of other factors that could be causing this.

Here are some of them:

  • Untreated infections

Sexually transmitted Infections can cause a lot of havoc. Some of them are very painful and they can invite some stigma as well.

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Aside from that side of things, there are some that can lead to infertility issues when left untreated. The two main culprits are chlamydia and gonorrhoea because they can spread to other parts of your reproductive system and cause you to be infertile.

Excessive drinking, smoking and drug use could affect your fertility (Photo: iStock)
  • Being underweight or overweight

These two weight extremes can also be a cause. You can start to have hormonal imbalances when you’re underweight even from extreme dieting and over-exercising. These hormonal imbalances can affect your ovulation cycles and lower your fertility.

On the flip side, when you’re overweight there is the risk of infertility as well as other complications like miscarriages.

You have to ensure you are at a healthy weight for your particular height. Making this change can significantly improve your chances of having a baby soon.

  • Bad lifestyle choices

We already know how excessive drinking, smoking and drug use can affect your life. You’re already at risk of developing addictions and this can affect your health in many ways including fertility.

Multiple studies have shown that these harmful habits can have a negative impact on both men and women. The best way to deal with this is to quit as you prepare your body for a baby.

You need to check for underlying medical conditions (Photo: iStock)
  • Male infertility

You might also not be getting pregnant because of an underlying challenge with your partner. This happens a lot but it can still be hard to identify.

If you’ve gone for tests and there is nothing blocking you from having kids, you might need to take your hubby for a test.

This test is the best way to know details like sperm count, motility and other details that might help you understand the underlying issue.

  • Underlying medical conditions

There are many conditions that directly affect a woman’s fertility. You may have heard of some of them like Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis and fibroids that affect the female reproductive system.

Other medical problems like diabetes and autoimmune conditions might not directly affect your fertility but they can still lower your chances of conceiving.

You also need to be aware that certain medications can be the cause of your problem. You might need to consult your doctor to see whether this is what is causing the delay and the way forward.