What is Fertilisation?

In this article, we’ll explain what fertilisation is and what factors can influence it. We’ll also discuss ways to support and improve fertilisation, as well as common issues that might affect it. We’ll also guide you on when it might be a good idea to speak to a doctor if you have concerns about fertility.

Key Takeaways

Here are the 5 biggest takeaways from this article about fertilisation:

• Fertilisation is the process where a sperm cell from the father fuses with an egg cell from the mother to form a zygote.

• Several lifestyle changes such as regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, eating a balanced diet, avoiding smoking and alcohol and having regular sex around ovulation can improve the chances of conception.

• Although folic acid doesn’t help you get pregnant, it’s essential during the preconception period and the first 12 weeks of pregnancy to support the baby’s early development and prevent neural tube defects.

• Age, weight, STIs, smoking, alcohol consumption, environmental factors and high-stress levels can negatively affect fertility in both men and women.

• If you’ve been trying to conceive for over a year (or six months if over 35), or if you have concerns about reproductive health, it's important to seek medical advice.

What is fertilisation?

Fertilisation is the process where a sperm cell from the father fuses with an egg cell from the mother to form a zygote, according to the Genomics Education Programme. This “zygote” contains half of the DNA from each parent. Fertilisation is a crucial part of sexual reproduction, as it combines the DNA of both parents to create genetically unique offspring. This process is essential for human reproduction and occurs following unprotected sexual intercourse.

How can I improve my fertility?

There are a number of ways that you may be able to improve your chances of successfully conceiving a child, including:

Exercise regularly

Regularly exercising is a good way to help boost your fertility, particularly for women according to Clear Blue. Keeping up with a regular exercise routine or starting a new one at a low to moderate intensity can help ensure your body is in good condition for pregnancy and birth. The pregnancy and baby charity Tommy’s states that keeping active not only supports general health but can also have a positive impact on reproductive health.

Consume a healthy diet

A healthy diet can play a significant role in improving fertility. Studies have shown that women who consume a diet rich in plant-based proteins, full-fat dairy, iron, and monounsaturated fats before conception have a lower risk of infertility. Specifically, they experienced a 66% lower risk of infertility due to ovulatory disorders and a 28% lower risk from other causes, according to the BBC. Specifically, diets rich in unsaturated fats, whole grains, vegetables, and fish have been associated with improved fertility in both women and men (Panth et al, 2018).

Maintain a healthy weight

Maintaining a healthy weight is crucial for improving the chances of conception, as well as ensuring you do not reduce your fertility levels. NHS advice states that being under or overweight can cause problems with bodily functions including ovulation, making it much more difficult to conceive. Baby and pregnancy charity Tommy’s also states that the sperm quality of a man can be improved by maintaining a BMI in the healthy range. 

The chances of complications during pregnancy can also be affected by body weight. Tommy’s suggests keeping your BMI in the healthy range to help reduce the risk of experiencing complications during pregnancy and birth. 

Avoid bad habits such as smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol

Avoiding bad habits, such as smoking and drinking alcohol, can significantly improve fertility. Smoking can damage reproductive organs, reduce the quality of eggs and sperm, and increase the risk of infertility, according to Nicorette. Similarly, excessive alcohol consumption can interfere with hormone levels and reduce the chances of conceiving.

Having regular sex around the time of ovulation

Yes, having regular sex around ovulation can improve fertility. If neither partner has any diagnosed fertility issues, having sex every day during the short window of ovulation can increase the chances of conception. This is because the egg only survives for 12-24 hours after being released, so timing intercourse during this period gives sperm the best opportunity to fertilise the egg (Sullivan, 2023).

Consume folic acid supplements every day

While folic acid does not directly improve fertility or help you get pregnant, it is still highly recommended when trying to conceive and during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Folic acid is important for the early development of the baby, as it helps prevent neural tube defects. Taking it as part of your preconception care ensures your body is ready to support a healthy pregnancy from the very start, according to the NHS.

Speak to your doctor

Speaking to a doctor if you are concerned about your fertility can be very helpful. If you’ve been trying to conceive for a while without success or have concerns about your reproductive health, a doctor can assess any potential issues. They can provide guidance on improving fertility, run tests to check for underlying conditions, and suggest treatments if needed.

What can reduce my fertility?

There are several factors that you should be aware of if you are concerned about your fertility. Fertility can be affected by a number of different things, some of which you may not have even considered. According to the NHS, factors that affect fertility include:

• Age

• Weight

• Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

• Smoking

• Alcohol consumption

• Environmental factors such as exposure to chemicals, pesticides, solvents and certain metals

• High-stress levels

If you are concerned about any of the above factors influencing your fertility it is important to consult with your doctor for tailored advice. 

When should I speak to a doctor if I am concerned about fertility?

You should speak to a doctor about fertility concerns if you’ve been trying to conceive for over a year without success, or after six months if you're over 35. It’s also a good idea to seek medical advice if you have irregular periods, known reproductive health issues, or a history of conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or endometriosis. Some products are also available to help with fertility issues including supplements and tests for men and women.

Sources

Infertility - NHS

The benefits of exercising/being active when trying to conceive - Tommy’s

Exercise During Ovulation and Implantation | Clearblue

Infertility - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic