"Why am I not getting pregnant" is a common question among women trying to make a family for the first - and sometimes the second or third - time. It can be very frustrating to attempt to get pregnant and have no success. However, the reasons for this can usually be pinpointed and fixed, and many women struggling with infertility have gone on to have successful pregnancies.
Here are some reasons you may not be getting pregnant.
Lack of CM or cervical mucus
Cervical mucus plays an important role in getting pregnant. The key role it plays is the facilitation of conception by allowing pregnancy to happen even at a time not near ovulations. Cervical mucus nourishes, protects, and speeds the sperm through the uterus and into the fallopian tubes so it may fertilize the egg.
One way to keep track of your cervical mucus (which is at its best for fertility when it is clear, slippery, and resembles raw egg whites) is to chart your cycle. This way you can tell when your cervical mucus will be most likely to help with fertilization.
Male infertility
Your partner may be the one responsible for your lack of conception success. However, it is quite common. 30-40% of couples will discover fertility problems in both parters; about 20% will see fertility problems only in the male.
A semen analysis can be a simple way of determining the potency of sperm.
Treatment of male infertility often includes antibiotics, surgery to repair a vasectomy, or medications and fertility drugs that improve sperm production.
Blocked fallopian tubes
Irregular ovulation is another common problem for women who are having trouble getting pregnant. These issues may be caused by blocked fallopian tubes, where an obstruction in a woman's fallopian tubes prevents sperm from reaching the egg.
The most common cause of blocked fallopian tubes is in fact PID or pelvic inflammatory disease, which is sometimes caused by an STD, but not always.
A history of miscarriage, previous abortion, history of abdominal surgery, and a previous ectopic pregnancy can all be contributing factors in fallopian tube blockage.
