Human fertility and natural conception

Question 1

Conception % per cycle is?

Answer 1

20% at the peak

Question 2

Couple with no issues or underlying problems what % of couples trying will get pregnant in the first year of trying

Answer 2

1 year -80%

2 years - 90%

Question 3

why does fertility decrease with age? (4)

Answer 3

no new egg production

• falling egg count - ovarian reserve drops
• decline in the quality of the eggs
• female age
• cycle irregularity

Question 4

can we predict decline in fertility?

Answer 4

No - plan ahead

- fertility test

Question 5

Conception - what are the key factors that need to work efficiently? (4) - key steps

Answer 5

Ovulation - egg production cyclically

Sperm production - good swimmers, normal production

Fertilization - sperm and egg to meet

Implantation - uterus has to be normal

Question 6

Hormone control of ovulation?

Answer 6

Hypothalamo-pituitary- gonadal axis

Question 7

what hormone can you measure to know if ovulation happened in that cycle or not

Answer 7

progesterone

Question 8

what kind of fallopian tube do you need?

Answer 8

patent

Question 9

Natural conception relies on?

Answer 9

• Functioning hormonal axis and gonads
• Ovarian reserve
• Regular ovulation
• Normal sperm production
• Fertilization- egg and sperm interaction AND patent fallopian tubes
• Normal uterine cavity for implantation

Question 10

Lifestyle factors that affect fertility? (6)

Answer 10

Age
BMI
Smoking
Alcohol
Recreational drug use
Stress