Fertility – Your Reproductive Health

reproductive health

Welcome to our guide on fertility and reproductive health in the UK. In this article, we explain what fertility is, how it varies from woman to woman, and the ways men and women can address potential fertility problems. We’ll cover ovulation, the menstrual cycle, and factors that influence the chance of conception—from lifestyle considerations to underlying medical conditions. You’ll also find an overview of fertility tests and popular fertility treatments, as well as insights into UK fertility rate and trends (including the impacts of COVID-19). Whether you’re trying to conceive for the first time or seeking solutions for infertility, this guide aims to help you make informed decisions about your reproductive health.

Understanding Fertility

Fertility refers to the biological ability to conceive and carry a pregnancy to term. It depends on several factors:

  • Hormonal balance (e.g., estrogen, progesterone, testosterone)

  • Proper timing of ovulation and healthy sperm production

  • Anatomical health of the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries

  • Lifestyle influences such as diet, weight, and stress

By identifying and managing these elements, couples can optimize their chances of conception.

Fertility and Age – Natural fertility decline

Age is one of the strongest predictors of a woman’s ability to get pregnant. Postponing childbearing often leads to reduced ovarian reserve and heightened pregnancy risks.

  • Around age 30: About 75% of women conceive within one year.

  • By age 35: That likelihood drops to roughly 66%.

  • By age 40: The chance of conceiving dips further to about 44%.

As women ovulate fewer high-quality eggs over time, they face a greater risk of miscarriage and other complications. While techniques like IVF can help, they cannot fully reverse fertility’s natural reduction.

Female Fertility

Female fertility relies on harmonious function between the ovary, menstrual cycle, and uterus. Lifestyle, environment, and hormonal regulation all affect fertility in women.

Factors Affecting Female Fertility

  • Smoking: Reduces ovarian reserve and can lead to fallopian tube damage. Raises oxidative stress, harming egg quality and embryonic development.

  • Weight and Diet: Obesity disrupts hormone levels and ovulation, making it harder to conceive. Balanced nutrition and adequate vitamins (e.g., C, D) improve the fertile window.

  • Environmental Exposures: Endocrine disruptors (e.g., BPA), heavy metals (lead, cadmium), or toxins impair ovarian function and the uterine lining. Minimizing exposure can help protect female fertility.

  • Psychological Stress: High stress elevates cortisol, potentially delaying or disturbing ovulation. Relaxation methods or counseling might enhance fertility awareness and outcomes.

Common Causes of Infertility in Women

  • Ovulatory Disorders: Conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), thyroid disease, or menopause-related changes can prevent normal ovulation.

  • Fallopian Tube Abnormalities: Blocked or scarred tubal pathways (often from pelvic inflammatory disease or sexually transmitted infections) prevent the sperm from reaching the egg.

  • Endometriosis: Tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, causing scarring and reduced chances of getting pregnant.

  • Uterine or Cervical Factors: Polyps, fibroids, or cervical mucus problems interfere with normal fertilization.

  • Lifestyle and Systemic Health: Uncontrolled diabetes, excessive alcohol/caffeine, or certain medical conditions may reduce fertility.

Male Fertility

Male fertility primarily depends on sperm count, sperm morphology, and motility, as well as the normal function of testes and associated structures. Hormones like FSH and LH also regulate sperm production.

Factors Affecting Male Fertility

  • Hormonal Imbalances (testosterone deficiency, pituitary disorders)

  • Nutritional Influences (insufficient antioxidants, poor diet)

  • Environmental Factors (exposure to toxins, high temperatures)

  • Lifestyle (smoking, vaping, heavy alcohol use)

Common Causes of Male Infertility

  • Sperm Production Disorders: A low count (oligozoospermia), poor motility (asthenozoospermia), or abnormal shape can hinder fertilization.

  • Hormonal Imbalances: Conditions like hypogonadism or hyperprolactinemia disrupt normal sperm synthesis.

  • Obstructions: Congenital Bilateral Absence of the Vas Deferens (often related to CFTR gene mutations), or scarring from infections.

  • Immune Factors: Antisperm antibodies can inactivate or cluster sperm, reducing their ability to fertilize an egg.

  • Medications and Toxins: Certain antibiotics, chemotherapeutic agents, or recreational drugs damage sperm function.

Fertility Tests and Diagnosis

A structured evaluation helps pinpoint fertility problems and causes of infertility.

  • Medical History & Physical Exam: Uncover risk factors like smoking or sexually transmitted infections.

  • Hormonal Assessments: Check FSH, LH, progesterone, and testosterone levels to gauge function.

  • Imaging: Hysterosalpingography (HSG) for women, or scrotal ultrasound for male fertility concerns.

  • Genetic Tests: Identify chromosomal issues if sperm count is extremely low or repeated early pregnancy losses occur.

Fertility Test for Women

  • Ovulation confirmation (via LH kits or basal body temperature tracking)

  • Ovarian reserve (AMH tests, Antral Follicle Count)

  • Uterine and fallopian tube health (via HSG or ultrasound)

  • Hormonal profiles (thyroid, prolactin)

Male Fertility Test

  • Semen Analysis (volume, sperm count, motility, morphology)

  • Hormone checks (testosterone, FSH, LH)

  • Advanced testing (DNA fragmentation, karyotyping) if needed

Before COVID-19, the UK’s rate of births was at a historic low—around 1.44 children per woman—reflecting shifts in social norms and economic uncertainties. Younger women especially saw declining fertility outcomes, and many couples trying to conceive delayed parenthood for career or financial reasons.

Potential COVID-19 Effects

  • Fewer pregnancy rates: Economic instability and less in-person medical access could lower the chances of getting pregnant.

  • Counterbalancing: Some older couples or stable households might accelerate plans to become pregnant.

As official data from 2021–2023 emerges, we’ll see whether the pandemic caused further declines or a partial rebound in fertility.

Fertility Treatments

IVF (In Vitro Fertilisation)

IVF retrieves eggs from the ovary and fertilizes them with sperm in a lab. The resulting embryos are transferred to the uterus. This technique aids couples with blocked fallopian tubes, unexplained infertility, or endometriosis.
Read more about IVF here: [link]

ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection)

ICSI is a specialized form of IVF where a single sperm is injected into each mature egg. This can help male fertility issues like very low sperm count or poor motility.
Read more about ICSI here: [link]

IUI (Intrauterine Insemination)

IUI places concentrated sperm directly into the uterus around the day of ovulation. Suitable for mild male-factor infertility, cervical issues, or unexplained infertility.
Read more about IUI here: [link]

Egg Donation

Recommended when a woman cannot use her own eggs—due to diminished ovarian reserve, premature menopause, or genetic concerns. Donor eggs are fertilized and implanted into the recipient’s uterus.
Read more about egg donation here: [link]

Next Steps with Ovoria

If you’re in the UK and you’re trying to conceive, Ovoria can assist—whether it’s testing, finding doctor recommendations, or guiding you through treatment. Our dedicated team offers tailored advice to help you navigate this process and improve your chances of getting pregnant.

Contact

Frequently Asked Questions about Fertility

Are painful periods a sign of good fertility?

Painful periods (dysmenorrhea) are not an indicator of increased fertility. They can sometimes point to conditions like endometriosis or fibroids, so it’s best to discuss severe pain with a healthcare provider.

Does vaping affect fertility?

Yes, vaping can impact fertility. E-liquids often contain nicotine and other chemicals that may reduce sperm quality in men and disrupt hormone balance in wom

How to increase fertility?

Maintain a healthy lifestyle (balanced diet, exercise, limited alcohol/caffeine), manage stress, avoid smoking and vaping, and address any underlying medical issues. If concerns persist, consult a fertility specialist.d

References

Joffe, M. (2009). What has happened to human fertility? Human Reproduction, 25(2), 295–307. https://doi.org/10.1093/humrep/dep390

Delbaere, I., Verbiest, S., & Tydén, T. (2020). Knowledge about the impact of age on fertility: a brief review. Upsala Journal of Medical Sciences, 125(2), 167–174. https://doi.org/10.1080/03009734.2019.1707913

Vitale, S. G., La Rosa, V. L., Petrosino, B., Rodolico, A., Mineo, L., & Laganà, A. S. (2017). The impact of lifestyle, diet, and psychological stress on female fertility. Oman Medical Journal, 32(5), 443–444. https://doi.org/10.5001/omj.2017.85

Hart, R. J. (2016). Physiological aspects of female fertility: role of the environment, modern lifestyle, and genetics. Physiological Reviews, 96(3), 873–909. https://doi.org/10.1152/physrev.00023.2015

Olayemi, F. (2010). review on some causes of male infertility. https://www.ajol.info/index.php/ajb/article/view/79938

Hanson, B., Johnstone, E., Dorais, J., Silver, B., Peterson, C. M., & Hotaling, J. (2016). Female infertility, infertility-associated diagnoses, and comorbidities: a review. Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics, 34(2), 167–177. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-016-0836-8

Schlegel, P. N., Sigman, M., Collura, B., De Jonge, C. J., Eisenberg, M. L., Lamb, D. J., Mulhall, J. P., Niederberger, C., Sandlow, J. I., Sokol, R. Z., Spandorfer, S. D., Tanrikut, C., Treadwell, J. R., Oristaglio, J. T., & Zini, A. (2020). Diagnosis and Treatment of Infertility in Men: AUA/ASRM Guideline Part I. The Journal of Urology, 205(1), 36–43. https://doi.org/10.1097/ju.0000000000001521