Check your fertility status

Getting Pregnant 101

If you’ve been looking for answers and support in your journey to become pregnant, here’s where you can get help! In fact, why not check your fertility status now, by taking our questionnaire?
Check your fertility status
If you’ve been looking for answers and support in your journey to become pregnant, here’s where you can get help! In fact, why not check your fertility status now, by taking our questionnaire?
Take the fertility questionnaire

How Can I Improve My
Chances of Getting Pregnant?

Getting pregnant doesn’t always happen straight away. It is an amazing experience, but what most couples don’t realise is that it’s more complicated than it seems. Over the past three decades, fertility science has helped millions of couples overcome their difficulties and have a family of their own1. Depending on what is causing your fertility problems, there are a range of tips and treatments available to help you to have children.

 

You may need more time, and if it doesn’t happen after a given number of months, the couple may need medical assistance or more advanced treatment. But with the right support, many couples may be able to achieve their dream of having a child.

 

Fertility can be a challenging subject and acknowledging that you may need some assistance can be painful. However, seeking help to conceive is a brave and positive step forward. As age has a strong impact on fertility (with a woman’s fertility decreasing as she gets older)2, the sooner you seek help the closer you can be to having a baby of your own.

Based on American studies, they suggest that
12% to 15% of couples are unable to conceive after
a minimum of 1 year of having unprotected sex3.
According to the American Society for Reproductive
Medicine, 1 in 6 couples have trouble conceiving4.

How Many People
Are Having Problems Getting Pregnant?

There is always great comfort in knowing that you are not alone. In 2020, the total fertility rate (TFR) was at 1.7 in Malaysia6 and 1.1 in Singapore7. Following the trends of the past decades, it is expected to fall even further. This TFR score refers to the number of successful babies being born per woman in her reproductive years, and compared to about 4 decades ago this number has dropped significantly in both countries, signalling potential fertility issues.

 

So, if you’ve been looking for answers and support in your journey to become pregnant, here’s where you can get help! In fact, why not check your fertility status now, by taking our questionnaire?

 

We have the information and resources about treatment options you need to find the nearest fertility expert. Seek the advice of an expert now so that you know your next step in starting your family!

Check your fertility status

Am I Fertile
Enough?

Infertility is medically defined as the inability to conceive after 12 months of unprotected sex8.

 

However, if your partner is 35 years old or over, you or your partner may be considered infertile if you haven’t conceived after 6 months of unprotected sex. Infertility may take place due to medical reasons like ovulation disorders, pre-existing conditions or even other reasons like stress, age, or a combination of factors.

 

Sometimes, a couple who has already had a child can have trouble conceiving again. This is called secondary infertility.

 

Conceiving isn’t easy — even for women at their most fertile age. While men stay fertile for a longer period than women, the quality and number of their sperm substantially decline with age9 10.

Infertility may take place due to medical reasons
like ovulation disorders, pre-existing conditions
or even other reasons like stress, age,
or a combination of factors.

Live Birth Rate Declines After Age 35

Am I Too Old to
Get Pregnant?

A woman’s peak reproductive years are between their late teens and late 20s. Fertility starts to decline by age
30, becoming more rapid during the mid-30s and by 45, getting pregnant naturally is unusual for most women.

Natural Changes

As women get older, their bodies undergo natural changes that can make
getting pregnant more difficult. These include:

Number of eggs declining

Women are born with around
1–2 million eggs. This number
continually declines from
birth11. At 37 years old, there
are around 25,000 eggs left12

Quality of eggs declining

as a woman ages, there’s a
greater chance that her eggs
will have an abnormal number
of chromosomes which can
affect the health of embryos13

Gradual exposure to diseases

As time passes, the
reproductive system is more
exposed to diseases that can
affect fertility, such as
endometriosis15

Irregular ovulation

A woman’s menstrual cycle
can become shorter and
irregular with age14

Sex drive declining

This may mean that you have
sex less frequently as you get
older16

This is because as women get older, the number of eggs decreases, which in turn, lowers the chances of pregnancy. Around 1 in 4 women will get pregnant in any single menstrual cycle for healthy couples in their 20s and early 20s. Unfortunately, by age 40, the number drops to 1 in 10 women getting pregnant per menstrual cycle. As for men, fertility declines in increasingly noticeable amounts after the age of 55. In other words, if you aren’t quite sure if you’ve got a problem, please consult a fertility specialist sooner than later! The earlier you go the more options you will have.

Signs & Symptoms of Infertility

Pregnancy may be elusive due to infertility, which can affect both genders.
Infertility isn’t necessarily a permanent condition and it doesn’t mean that having a
child is impossible. You may just need a little help from a fertility specialist to get there.

Why Infertility Happens21

Symptoms of Female Infertility

  • Often asymptomatic
  • Heavy or painful periods
  • Irregular or absent periods

Symptoms of Male Infertility

  • Often without symptoms
  • Erectile or ejaculation issues
  • Testicular pain

Signs of Female Infertility

01

Pain during sex

This may be an underlying health problem such as infections, endometriosis and fibroids22.

02

Heavy, long or painful periods

Women who frequently experience heavy and painful periods may be showing signs of endometriosis23, which is a risk factor for infertility.

03

Irregular menstrual cycle

Although the menstrual cycle varies between individuals, most women have a regular cycle. Having an irregular menstrual cycle means that a woman is not regularly ovulating, which can contribute to infertility.
Check your fertility status

Signs of Male Infertility

01

Hormonal imbalances

Testosterone is critical in sperm production and is a key hormone for male fertility. Reduced testosterone leads to reduced sperm, affecting the chances of fertilisation of the oocytes leading to infertility.Erectile dysfunction – It might happen due to a mix of hormonal changes, physical or psychological factors.

02

Problems with ejaculation

Having difficulty ejaculating or a drop in volume of ejaculate is a sign of an underlying issue affecting male fertility.

03

Other issues

Swollen, painful or tender testicles may be caused by an infection, which can impact sperm quality, therefore a cause for infertility.

Check your fertility status

Causes of Female Infertility

A few causes of infertility may include:

Endometriosis31
Ovulation disorders26
Primary ovarian
insufficiency (early
menopause)
Uterine or cervical
abnormalities28
Pelvic adhesions

Causes of Male Infertility

Causes for infertility for males include:

Overexposure to
environmental
factors
Abnormal sperm
production
Problems with the
delivery of sperm
Damage related to
cancer

Does Age Affect
Male Fertility?

Unlike women, whose fertility significantly declines after the age of 35, men’s fertility doesn’t decline until they are much older. Although sperm quality deteriorates as men age, this does not create a problem until after the age of 6032.

 

Learn more about how age can impact your fertility, and why it’s best to seek advice to conceive as early as possible. If you’re here looking for answers and support for fertility issues, then jump straight into our Getting Help section, where you’ll find information and resources about treatment options available.

Understanding Fertility

Let’s take a look at the female and male reproductive systems, and more importantly the fertile window for women.

Get The
Right Help

Getting help as soon as possible is vital. Don’t underestimate the support you will receive and educate yourself on the treatment options available so that you can decide the next course of action and see a positive pregnancy test really soon!

Take our questionnaire to check on your fertility status.
Check your fertility status

References:

  1. European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE). ART fact sheet. Press information. Available at: new.eshre.eu/~/media/sitecore-files/Annual-meeting/Lisbon/ART-fact-sheet.pdf?la=en. Accessed: February 2018.
  2. American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM). Age and fertility. A guide for patients. 2012. Available at:
    http://www.reproductivefacts.org/globalassets/rf/news-and-publications/bookletsfact-sheets/english-fact-sheets-and-info-booklets/Age_and_Fertility.pdf. Accessed: February 2018.
  3. Chandra, A., Copen, C.E., & Stephen, E.H. (2013). Infertility and Impaired Fecundity in the United States, 1982-2010: Data From the National Survey of Family Growth. National Health Statistics Reports, 67, 1-19. Retrieved February 7, 2018, from https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhsr/nhsr067.pdf
  4. American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM). Prevalence of infertility in the United States as estimated by the current duration approach and a traditional constructed approach. 2013. Available at:
    https://www.fertstert.org/action/showPdf?pii=S0015-0282%2812%2902449-1
  5. American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM). Age and fertility. A guide for patients. 2012. Available at:
    http://www.reproductivefacts.org/globalassets/rf/news-and-publications/bookletsfact-sheets/english-fact-sheets-and-info-booklets/Age_and_Fertility.pdf. Accessed: February 2018.
  6. Department of Statistics Malaysia. (n.d.). Department of Statistics Malaysia.
    https://www.dosm.gov.my/v1/index.php?r=column/cthemeByCat&cat=165&bul_id=UDlnQ05GMittVXJWZUVDYUFDcjVTZz09&menu_id=L0pheU43NWJwRWVSZklWdzQ4TlhUUT09
  7. ‘Population Trends’ publication, the Infographics on ‘Total Fertility Rate’ https://www.singstat.gov.sg/-/media/files/publications/population/population2021.pdf
  8. Infertility FAQs. (n.d.). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
    https://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/infertility/index.htm#:~:text=In%20general%2C%20infertility%20is%20defined,6%20months%20of%20unprotected%20sex.
  9. Dunson D, et al. Hum Reprod 2002;17(5):1399–1403.
  10. Harris I, et al. Rev Urol 2011;13(4):e184–e190
  11. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Committee on Gynecologic Practice and The Practice Committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Fertil Steril 2014;101(3):633–634.
  12. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Committee on Gynecologic Practice and The Practice Committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Fertil Steril 2014;101(3):633–634.
  13. American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM). Age and fertility. A guide for patients. 2012. Available at
    http://www.reproductivefacts.org/globalassets/rf/news-and-publications/bookletsfact-sheets/english-fact-sheets-and-info-booklets/Age_and_Fertility.pdf. Accessed: February 2018.
  14. American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM). Age and fertility. A guide for patients. 2012. Available at
    http://www.reproductivefacts.org/globalassets/rf/news-and-publications/bookletsfact-sheets/english-fact-sheets-and-info-booklets/Age_and_Fertility.pdf. Accessed: February 2018.
  15. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Committee on Gynecologic Practice and The Practice Committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Fertil Steril 2014;101(3):633–634.
  16. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Committee on Gynecologic Practice and The Practice Committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Fertil Steril 2014;101(3):633–634.
  17. George K and Kamath M. J Hum Reprod Sci 2010;3:121–123.
  18. American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM). Age and fertility. A guide for patients. 2012. Available at
    http://www.reproductivefacts.org/globalassets/rf/news-and-publications/bookletsfact-sheets/english-fact-sheets-and-info-booklets/Age_and_Fertility.pdf. Accessed: February 2018.
  19. George K and Kamath M. J Hum Reprod Sci 2010;3:121–123.
  20. American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM). Age and fertility. A guide for patients. 2012. Available at
    http://www.reproductivefacts.org/globalassets/rf/news-and-publications/bookletsfact-sheets/english-fact-sheets-and-info-booklets/Age_and_Fertility.pdf. Accessed: February 2018.
  21. US Department of Health & Human Services. Female Infertility. Available at: https://www.hhs.gov/opa/reproductive-health/female-infertility/index.html. Accessed: January 2018.
  22. American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM). Fibroids and fertility. Fact sheet. 2015. Available at:
    http://www.reproductivefacts.org/globalassets/rf/news-and-publications/bookletsfact-sheets/english-fact-sheets-and-info-booklets/fibroids_and_fertility_factsheet.pdf. Accessed: February 2018.
  23. American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM). Endometriosis and infertility: A committee opinion. 2012. http://www.fertstert.org/article/S0015-0282(12)00585-7/pdf. Accessed: March 2018.
  24. American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM). Age and fertility. A guide for patients. 2012. Available at:
    http://www.reproductivefacts.org/globalassets/rf/news-and-publications/bookletsfact-sheets/english-fact-sheets-and-info-booklets/Age_and_Fertility.pdf. Accessed: February 2018.
  25. American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM). Age and fertility. A guide for patients. 2012. Available at:
    http://www.reproductivefacts.org/globalassets/rf/news-and-publications/bookletsfact-sheets/english-fact-sheets-and-info-booklets/Age_and_Fertility.pdf. Accessed: February 2018.
  26. American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM). Medications for inducing ovulation. A guide for patients. 2016. Available at:
    http://www.reproductivefacts.org/globalassets/rf/news-and-publications/bookletsfact-sheets/english-fact-sheets-and-info-booklets/booklet_medications_for_inducing_ovulation.pdf. 2014. Accessed: February 2018.
  27. Melo A, et al. Clinics (Sao Paulo) 2015;70:765–769.
  28. Martyn F, et al. Human Reproduction 2014;29:2092–2098.
  29. Khalaf Y. BMJ 2003;327(7415):610–613.
  30. American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM). Role of tubal surgery in the era of assisted reproductive technology: a committee opinion. 2015. Available at:
    http://www.asrm.org/globalassets/asrm/asrm-content/news-and-publications/practice-guidelines/for-non-members/role_of_tubal_surgery_in_the_era_of_assisted_reproductive_technology-noprint.pdf. Accessed: March 2018.
  31. American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM). Endometriosis and infertility: A committee opinion. 2012. http://www.fertstert.org/article/S0015-0282(12)00585-7/pdf. Accessed: March 2018.
  32. American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM). Age and fertility. A guide for patients. 2012. Available at:
    http://www.reproductivefacts.org/globalassets/rf/news-and-publications/bookletsfact-sheets/english-fact-sheets-and-info-booklets/Age_and_Fertility.pdf. Accessed: February 2018.

Disclaimer : The information provided by Merck is not a substitute for professional medical care or advice and intended for educational purposes only and should be used only as an aid in understanding the medical condition and treatment. A physician or another healthcare professional should always be consulted for any health problem or medical condition.

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