Understanding Your Fertility: What You Should Know Before Trying to Conceive
Updated: Oct 18
Thinking about having a baby can bring plenty of excitement, but it can also leave you with a lot of questions. Understanding how fertility works can help you feel more informed before you begin trying to conceive.
Fertility is influenced by several factors, including age, ovulation, reproductive health and sperm health. Learning a little about these factors can help you understand your body and know when to seek professional guidance.
Start With Your Menstrual Cycle
Your menstrual cycle can provide useful information about your reproductive health.
Ovulation happens when an ovary releases an egg. The days around ovulation are generally the most fertile part of the cycle because sperm can survive in the reproductive tract for several days, while an egg can only be fertilized for a limited amount of time.
Tracking your periods can help you become familiar with your cycle. You may also notice changes in cervical mucus around ovulation, or use an ovulation predictor kit to help identify your fertile window.
If you're wondering which days give you the best chance of conceiving, our When Are You Most Fertile? Understanding Your Fertile Window guide explains how ovulation timing works and why your fertile days may shift from one cycle to another.
Age Can Influence Fertility
Fertility changes with age, particularly for women. The number and quality of eggs gradually decline over time, which can make conception more difficult as you get older.
That does not mean pregnancy is impossible later in life. It simply means that age is one factor worth considering when planning a family.
If you are concerned about your fertility because of your age or personal health history, talking with a healthcare professional can help you understand your individual situation.
Your Overall Health Matters
Your general health can also play a role in preparing for pregnancy.
Eating a balanced diet, staying physically active, getting enough sleep and avoiding smoking and recreational drugs can support your overall health while trying to conceive.
If you are planning a pregnancy, it is also worth talking with your healthcare provider about medications, supplements, vaccinations and any existing health conditions.
Folic acid is particularly important before pregnancy. The CDC recommends that women who could become pregnant get 400 micrograms of folic acid each day. Taking folic acid before pregnancy and during early pregnancy helps reduce the risk of certain serious birth defects affecting the baby's brain and spine.
If you're getting ready to try for a baby, our How to Prepare for Pregnancy: A Preconception Checklist walks through the most important steps, from health appointments and prenatal vitamins to medications, lifestyle habits, and practical planning.
Fertility Involves Both Partners
It is easy to think about fertility as something that only concerns the person who will become pregnant, but sperm health matters too.
Fertility difficulties can involve factors affecting either partner, both partners or sometimes no identifiable cause. When a fertility evaluation is needed, healthcare professionals generally assess both partners rather than focusing only on the woman.
Give Yourself Time
Not becoming pregnant immediately does not necessarily mean that something is wrong.
Fertility evaluation is generally recommended after 12 months of regular, unprotected intercourse when the female partner is younger than 35, or after six months when she is 35 or older. For women older than 40, more immediate evaluation may be appropriate. Earlier advice is also recommended when there are known reproductive concerns, including absent periods, suspected endometriosis, or factors affecting sperm production.
Understanding your fertility is not about trying to control every part of the process. It is about knowing your body, making informed choices and knowing when to ask for support.
Whether you are just starting to think about having a baby or are already trying, reliable information can make the journey feel a little less overwhelming.
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