Verified by: Midwife Maria Midstam 

What does fertility really mean and when are you most fertile? In this article, we go through everything you need to know about fertility and how understanding the menstrual cycle increases your chances of getting pregnant.

What does fertility mean?

Being of childbearing age means that you have the possibility of getting pregnant. To fully understand your fertility, you also need to understand your menstrual cycle, as you need to ovulate in order to get pregnant.

The menstrual cycle consists of different phases, ovulation being one of them, and occurs about 14 days before your next period. When the egg is released from the ovary, it is caught in the fallopian tube and can be fertilized. Sperm can survive for up to 5 days during vaginal intercourse, which means that you can get pregnant in the days before ovulation and the day after, as the egg is 'mature' for about 24 hours after it has been released.

Some women can clearly feel when they are ovulating while others feel nothing at all. Therefore, if you are planning to get pregnant, it may be helpful to map out your menstrual cycle so that you have a better understanding of your fertile days and know approximately when ovulation occurs.

When are you most fertile?

Women's fertility peaks around the age of 22 and then gradually declines until around the age of 35. After 35, fertility declines further until menopause. This does not mean that you cannot get pregnant after the age of 35. However, there are some risks of complications for both pregnancy and childbirth - but of course it is possible to get pregnant without complications. It is also important to point out that some people get pregnant without problems at the age of 40 and others have difficulty getting pregnant at an early age. Fertility is therefore highly individual.

Can lifestyle affect whether you are fertile?

The simple answer is yes. A nutritious diet and exercise are examples of things that have a positive impact on your overall health and fertility. So by eating a varied diet with a high nutritional content, you create good conditions for getting pregnant. This also applies to how you exercise. The recommendation is to get in everyday exercise and a couple of heart rate increasing activities a week, around 30 minutes per session. It doesn't matter how you choose to exercise, as long as it feels good and enjoyable for you.

In addition to a nutritious diet, it is good to take folate (folic acid) supplements, which is a B vitamin that, among other things, increases the chances of normal fetal development in the first weeks of pregnancy. Taking folate supplements can also prevent early miscarriages and spina bifida.

How do you know if you are fertile?

Fertility is largely related to age. Biologically, women are most fertile before the age of 30, and after 35, fertility declines relatively quickly. Male fertility also declines with age, but never fully declines as it does for women when they reach menopause.

What does infertility mean?

When a couple has tried to conceive for a year of unprotected and regular sex without success, this is known as infertility, or involuntary childlessness. At this point, tests may be carried out to try to find a cause for the infertility, if the couple wishes. The length of the investigation varies from clinic to clinic, but it can take up to a couple of months as several tests are carried out. If you want to read more about infertility and how an investigation works, you can do so here.

Source: 1177 and NordicIVF.