What Women Get Wrong & What Matters Most
“You can get pregnant anytime during your cycle.” What’s the truth about timing?
While it’s always safest to assume pregnancy is possible with unprotected intercourse, conception only occurs if sperm meets a mature egg. Sperm can live in the reproductive tract for up to five days, but the egg only survives 12–24 hours. That makes timing key.
If you’re trying to conceive, aim for intercourse around ovulation. In a regular cycle, ovulation typically occurs about 14 days before your next period. For a 28-day cycle, that’s around day 14. The most fertile time is the day before and the day of ovulation.
“If I’ve had one baby, getting pregnant again should be easy.” Why is secondary infertility so common?
Secondary infertility — difficulty conceiving after already having a child — is more common than many realize. Fertility can change over time due to aging, hormonal shifts, complications from prior pregnancies, or changes in a partner’s health.
If you’ve been trying for six to 12 months without success, it’s worth seeing your provider, even if you’ve conceived before.
“Fertility drops off a cliff at 35.” Is that accurate?
Not exactly. Fertility does decline with age, and that decline becomes more noticeable in the mid-30s, but it’s not an abrupt drop.
For healthy couples in their 20s to early 30s, about 1 in 4 will conceive each cycle. By age 40, that drops to about 1 in 10. By 45, natural conception is less likely — but still possible. It’s better to think of fertility as a gradual decline rather than a sudden cutoff.
“Men’s health doesn’t impact fertility as much.” How big a role does it actually play?
A significant one. Male factors contribute to infertility in up to 40– 50% of cases. Lifestyle habits like smoking, alcohol use, and drug use can affect sperm quality, as can heat exposure (like hot tubs), certain medical conditions, and testosterone supplementation.
The good news: male fertility can be evaluated relatively easily with a semen analysis.
“You should wait before seeing a doctor.” When should someone get checked?
Generally, couples should seek evaluation after one year of trying without success, or after six months if the woman is over 35.
If you’re not actively trying but want insight into your fertility, there’s no one-size-fits-all test. A conversation with your provider can help assess factors like cycle regularity, hormone levels, and ovarian reserve.
For more information or to make an appointment, visit Mogamd.com or call 901.843.1530.
Dr. Heather Wherry, a Memphis native, completed her undergraduate studies in Knoxville before returning home for medical training and private practice. She is an OB/GYN at MOGA with a special interest in infertility and helping women achieve healthy pregnancies. She lives in Germantown with her husband, Scott, and their two children.
By Heather Wherry, MD
