A female asked:
I want to get pregnant but as much as i try it won't work! i'm 18 and at the height of my hormones so it's kinda degrading for me! i even raise my hips to push the sperm down to my overies
2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in
Dr. Heidi Fowleranswered
Psychiatry 27 years experience
I : I am not sure what you are doing to become pregnant. If you want to become pregnant, have you been taking Folic Acid to help ensure a healthy baby? You are the most fertile around the time of month that you ovulate (an egg is released). You can go on line and look under "pregnancy predictor" or "pregnancy calculator" for help with determining when you are most likely to be fertile. Using basal body temperatures can also be helpful. You are quite young, so don't fret.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Dr. Michael Opsahlanswered
Fertility Medicine 45 years experience
Fertility : Fertility is easy for most people. Only about 10-13% of women/couples have infertility. Infertility is a frustrating problem but fortunately we are much more successful making a correct diagnosis and then applying a successful treatment. If you are 18 then you are not yet to your peak fertility (ages 25-29) but you have a great chance of succeeding.
General comments about fertility potential
- we believe that the fertility rate averages about 20% per cycle (month)
- if we start with 100 couples and each month 20% conceive then at the end of 12 months, 92% will be pregnant. We find that about 10-13% of the population will not be pregnant after 12 months of trying.
- by 24 months or 2 years, then less than 1% of normal couples would not be pregnant
- fertility rates in the us are about 147/1000 women at age 25-30 and they fall to 13/1000 women by age 40. So, don't delay too long.
- we define fertility as no pregnancy after 12 months and < 35 yrs old; or after 6 months and 35+ yrs old.
What to do to track fertility effort (& perhaps increase efficiency)
- one of the issues i find is that people often do not really know how many months they had sex at the right time. We often cannot be sure how many months there was an opportunity for conception.
- monitor your menstrual cycles for length (time from start of menses to the start of the next menses) and ovulation (release of egg)
- track ovulation and when you had sex. There are many web sites for apps or charts that you can fill out.
- an inexpensive way to track ovulation is the BBT (basal body temperatures, http://bit.Ly/aqm4az). All you need is a thermometer and your time to collect the temperature.
- the sperm live in your body for about 2-3 days (sometimes longer but for fertility purposes consider only 2 days before lower chance of conception). We usually recommend sex every other day. If the sperm count is low, then too often is a problem. If sperm count is normal then more often is fine but not really helpful to conceive, more recreational :)
- ovulation kits in the drug store (http://bit.Ly/wqstpo) are also accurate but they work best if you have regular cycles and then you have a reasonable idea of when you will ovulate.
- over-the-counter sperm tests may provide reasonable assurance that the sperm count is over 20 million/ml (http://bit.Ly/ydgstr). However, sperm counts are not the only issue when assessing male fertility potential. These tests do not replace a real sperm analysis but if the test suggests a low count then you should see a specialist sooner than later.
What if you do not become pregnant - infertility tests
- we have tests to help us understand what is causing you to not get pregnant.
- if you are less than 35 yrs old and are not pregnant after 12 months or if you are 35+ yrs old and are not pregnant in 6 months; then you need to see a fertility specialist.
- i believe that you need to get a diagnosis before we can even begin to have a discussion about treatment.
- the wrong treatment can be costly and delay success.
- you will need tests for ovulation, anatomy (uterus and tubes), egg quality and sperm quality.
Infertility summary:
- get tested by a fertility specialist
- pick the most costs effective treatment that you can afford
- the younger you are when you are treated the more likely the treatment will work
- do not be afraid of ivf, if you need it then the treatment can be very successful and less expensive than other treatments and faster.
I hope this brief summary helps, good luck.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Related questions
A 27-year-old female asked:
2 missed periods, low left back/hip pain, not pregnant, chronic yeast inf? Ultrasound tech had hard time finding left ovary. What could this be?
Dr. Sady Ribeiroanswered
Specializes in Pain Management
Hormonal dysfunction: did the ultra sound show the right ovary ? are you under stress? Are you taking birth control pills ?
you may need hormonal level test..
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 34-year-old female asked:
Am 5 weeks pregnant started having cramp in left back calf muscle no swelling no redness. Hip always hurts on left side and have a cyst on left ovary. Does it sound like dvt?
Dr. Thomas Mcgowananswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
Possible: You have some symptoms and also a risk factor for DVT, it doesn't harm the baby or you to get an exam and and an ultrasound of your leg to make sure, ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
View all answers
A 38-year-old female asked:
Hi I am 28 weeks pregnant and I'm experiencing severe pain in my pelvis when I walk or try to move when lying down or even get up when sitting down.
Dr. Wayne Ingramanswered
Specializes in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Tell your OB MD: You should be receiving prenatal care at 28 weeks gestation with regular exams by a OB MD. If not, start now to obtain the necessary care and provide ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
314 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 20-year-old female asked:
My way of being able to concieve is through a sperm bank, i'm wondering if i buy 1 vial will that be enough to get me pregnant on the first try?
Dr. Seth Dermananswered
Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility 35 years experience
No way to know: In my practice, I have my patients purchase one at time, but ordering multiple vials may save on shipping costs. Banks will generally not ship to you... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 16-year-old female asked:
Can I get pregnant if i shook hands with my father? minutes later i went to pee and have touched myself down there. I'm worried that he may have sperm
Dr. Mary Davidanswered
Specializes in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Extremely unlikely: Nothing is impossible but it would be extremely far fetched to think that you might get pregnant from shaking hands with your father and then urinatin... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
View all answers
Last updated Oct 4, 2016
People also asked
Connect with a U.S. board-certified doctor by text or video anytime, anywhere.
$44 video appointments with $19/month membership*
*Billed $57 every 3 months. Cancel anytime.
Disclaimer:
Content on HealthTap (including answers) should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and interactions on HealthTap do not create a doctor-patient relationship. Never disregard or delay professional medical advice in person because of anything on HealthTap. Call your doctor or 911 if you think you may have a medical emergency.
