How Long Does It Take to Get Pregnant? Navigating the Road to Pregnancy with Chinese Medicine
As couples begin their family planning, questions and concerns about how long the process can take may arise. If pregnancy does not occur quickly, many couples may begin to wonder how long does it take to conceive. That may vary depending on a number of factors. Therefore, the answer to the question, “how long does it take to get pregnant?” will not be the same for everyone. If you have been attempting to conceive and would like to know how long does it take to fall pregnant, read on.
Why It Is Important to Know How Many Days Does It Take to Get Pregnant
In 2020, there were over 800,000 conceptions in Wales and England. This number has been on the decline for the past few years. Within that group, there number of pregnancies in women ages 30-34 were the highest with 2020 being a record high.
For both men and women, knowing how long it may take before becoming pregnant will allow time for making the needed changes to diet and lifestyle that will help lead to a healthy pregnancy. If the health of the future parents is not in proper balance, understanding the average time is to conceive means they will know how much time they have to receive any required treatment that may aid in the process.
Since most women will become pregnant within six months to a year of trying to conceive, anything beyond one year may be an indication that there could be fertility issues. There are several natural fertility treatments available for couples who are trying to conceive.
Some of these treatments are based on traditional practices and have been used for centuries, while others have emerged more recently as part of a growing interest in natural and holistic approaches to fertility. One of these options its Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which seeks to restore health and balance the reproductive system to improve chances of conception naturally.
Factors That Can Increase the Time It Takes to Get Pregnant
The answer to the question “how many days does it take to get pregnant?” is not going to be one size fits all. Many variables will have an effect on a woman’s ability to conceive. Some examples include:
Age
As we age, according to TCM, our Jing gradually declines, which can lead to a decline in fertility.
Other Factors
PCOS, Fallopian Tube Issues, Endometriosis and so on.
Age
In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), fertility is considered to be closely related to the concept of “Jing” or “essence.”
Jing is believed to be a vital substance that is inherited from our parents and stored in our kidneys. It is responsible for our growth, development, and reproduction. As we age, according to TCM, our Jing gradually declines, which can lead to a decline in fertility.
Women have the best likelihood of becoming pregnant in their 20s. It is during this time that the number of healthy eggs is at its highest. When women reach age 35, the ability to conceive will decrease. Once again at age 40, the probability of conceiving falls again and will continue to do so over the next few years.
In men, sperm count and motility will also begin to decline around age 40 to 45 years. The decrease in fertility is caused by the decrease in the quantity and quality of the sperm they produce. Men can have fertility problems even if they can still have sex and have an ejaculation. The sperm of men over the age of 55 are able to achieve conception, a decrease in embryo development may result.
PCOS
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a condition that involves the growth of cysts on the ovaries. It may lead to an irregular menstrual cycle due to the high amounts of male hormones. Practitioners of TCM cite the cause of PCOS as an imbalance between yin and yang as well as deficiency of the kidneys, liver, or spleen. Because of its effect on the reproductive organs, having PCOS may affect ovulation, affecting how long it takes to conceive.
Related: How to Get Pregnant with PCOS using Chinese Medicine
Blocked tubes
If a blockage of the fallopian tubes is present, a women’s egg will not be able to meet the sperm. From a TCM perspective, the fallopian tubes are seen as a crucial part of the reproductive system that is responsible for transporting the egg and nourishing it with Blood and Qi.
A disruption of the normal flow of Qi and Blood through the fallopian tubes can prevent the egg from being fertilized and implanting in the uterus. When the flow of Qi and Blood is blocked, this can lead to a range of symptoms, including infertility, menstrual irregularities, and pain or discomfort in the pelvic area, affecting the time it takes to get pregnant.
Related: Natural Treatment For Blocked Fallopian Tubes
Endometriosis
When tissue that is the same as the uterine lining begins to grow outside of the uterus, this is known as endometriosis. This tissue can lead to scarring, irritation, and even fertility problems. According to TCM, endometriosis may be the result of blood stasis. Pain during periods or intercourse as well as a heavy menstrual flow may all be an indication that endometriosis is present. Endometriosis can severely affect the length of time it takes to conceive successfully.
How Common is Infertility?
Couples that are unable to conceive after one year of trying may be struggling with infertility. In the United Kingdom, about 10% of men and 12.5% of women are infertile. If both a man and a women have any factors contributing to infertility, their chances of conceiving will be even less.
How TCM Can Help Lead to a Healthy Pregnancy
When planning to become pregnant, it is imperative that the body is in proper balance with sufficient amounts of Qi and blood. In TCM, there are many options available to men in women that have a long history of success. These treatments are both natural and drug-free with little to no adverse side effects. Some examples include:
Acupuncture: Used by TCM practitioners for centuries, treatment with acupuncture has a long history of being a natural fertility booster. Acupuncture is a technique that involves the insertion of fine, sterile needles into specific points on the body, with the goal of improving the flow of Qi and Blood and promoting healing. According to TCM, acupuncture works by stimulating the body’s natural healing mechanisms and restoring balance to the flow of Qi and Blood.
Acupuncture can increase the chances of getting pregnant for women undergoing fertility treatment by 65%. There is plenty of anecdotal evidence and research to back this claim. In 2008, researchers at the Center for Integrative Medicine, at the University of Maryland’s School of Medicine found that when acupuncture took place on the day of embryo transfer, there were significant improvements in the rates of clinical pregnancies.
Acupuncture’s ability to help lower the damaging inflammation associated with PID (Pelvic inflammatory disease) that may be the cause of infertility. Within a trial of acupuncture for chronic pelvic pain, 29 of the 30 patients experienced a clinical response to pelvic pain, and seven infertile patients became pregnant in the following 6 months.
It also can help to restore hormonal balance while improving a woman’s ovarian reserve. Acupuncture is safe for women who are attempting to conceive as well as those who are already pregnant.
Read more: Acupuncture and Fertility: How Effective is Acupuncture For Fertility?
Chinese medicine herbs: Practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine, also known as TCM, have been using a wide variety of Chinese herbs for fertility to help women achieve successful pregnancies for ages. For example, a study out of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine showed that out of 1000 women, 301 were able to conceive with IVF compared to 442 women who were able to conceive using both IVF and Chinese herbs for fertility.
When preparing to conceive, consider adding herbs that help to improve and regulate the menstrual cycle.The most common herbs used in the prescription includes: Anemarrhena Rhizome, also known as Zhi Mu, will help to address yin deficiency and restore the balance between yin and yang. Schisandra Berry, or Wu Wei Zi, can aid in conception by improving egg quality and ovulation. Including Jia Wei Xiao Yao San will help to improve the health of the liver and spleen.
Related: 6 Herbs For Fertility
Conclusion
The question “how long does it take to conceive?” will have a different answer for different women. It usually takes most couples six months to one year to conceive, but this will differ based on a woman’s age and her overall health. Those with PCOS or endometriosis will want to consider options such as Chinese medicinal herbs to improve yin deficiency and as well as the health of the liver, kidneys, and spleen.
Treatment with acupuncture will help reduce the inflammation associated with endometriosis and PID while helping to restore balance to the hormones. If you are still wondering how long does it take to fall pregnant and would like to improve your chances of conceiving, reach out to a TCM practitioner to discuss your options.
For more information about how Chinese Medicine can help you to improve your chances of conceiving, book your free consultation with our Chinese Medicine experts today
* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. We can’t guarantee the treatment result, as the symptoms of conditions are unpredictable and vary greatly from person to person. The treatment length and recovery time also varies for individual. Please visit our clinics website: GinSen where a specialists will discuss your care and provide a consultation, and the treatment will be designed to meet your individual needs.
