Published 10/15/2025
Updated 10/30/2025
5-minutes read!
For some people, getting pregnant happens quickly; for others, it takes more time. The odds of getting pregnant are shaped by many factors, including age, overall health, lifestyle, hormone balance, and timing. Fertility is usually highest in the early 20s, declines slowly through the 30s, and then drops more sharply after 35. Even small hormonal changes can affect ovulation, and habits like balanced nutrition, regular exercise, and stress management play an important role in supporting reproductive health. By learning how age and lifestyle influence the odds of getting pregnant, you can better understand your own journey and know when it may be helpful to seek professional guidance.
When you’re trying to conceive, it’s natural to focus on the positives — tracking fertile days, supporting your health, and planning for the future. But it’s also important to recognize early signs you may be facing infertility challenges. Here, we list signs of fertility problems so you can recognize them early and take action sooner.
A regular cycle is one of the clearest signs your body is ovulating as it should. When cycles become unpredictable, extremely short, long, or disappear altogether, it may mean ovulation isn’t happening regularly. According to the Cleveland Clinic, this can be linked to conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), anovulation, thyroid imbalances, extreme stress, or changes in weight (Cleveland Clinic). If you’ve ever found yourself asking, “why am I not ovulating?”, know that identifying the cause is the first step toward restoring balance and improving your chances of conception.
Your skin and body composition can be powerful indicators of what’s happening inside. Persistent hormonal acne, especially along the jawline, or unexplained weight gain or loss, can be signs of hormonal imbalance. These shifts can disrupt ovulation and contribute to fertility difficulties, but with the right support and care, many people see improvement and renewed hope.
If ovulation tests consistently fail to show a surge, your basal body temperature doesn’t rise mid-cycle, or your cervical mucus doesn’t change, it may suggest that ovulation isn’t occurring, although these signs are not always definitive studies have shown that temperature changes can fail to indicate ovulation in approximately 20% of cycles. This makes ovulatory dysfunction, or failure to release an egg, one of the most common reasons for difficulty conceiving (Su et al., 2017).
You may sense, deep down, that something isn’t quite right — subtle shifts in your cycle, changes in energy, or differences in how you feel from month to month — even before any medical test shows an issue. Studies suggest, as highlighted by Palomba and colleagues in Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology, that women who experience higher levels of perceived stress, anxiety, or reduced quality of life often show disruptions in reproductive hormones, which can negatively affect fertility (Palomba et al., 2018).
As months pass without results, frustration and anxiety can set in, creating a feedback loop: emotional distress contributes to hormonal imbalance, and hormonal imbalance can further impair fertility. Recognizing these signs and seeking help early provides more opportunities to address both emotional and physical factors, ultimately supporting better chances of conception.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), thyroid dysfunction, and chronic stress are among the most common causes of disrupted ovulation. PCOS is a leading factor in anovulatory infertility, affecting up to 75–85% of women with the condition, while thyroid hormone imbalances can alter menstrual cycles and interfere with the release of eggs. In addition, as noted by Palomba and colleagues, high levels of perceived stress can disturb reproductive hormones and further reduce fertility potential.
Each of these factors can significantly reduce the odds of getting pregnant, but the good news is that with early detection and targeted treatment, many people are able to restore regular ovulation and improve their fertility.
You can track ovulation by detecting an LH surge with test strips, charting basal body temperature for post-ovulation shifts, and observing changes in cervical mucus. These methods are among the most effective fertility solutions when addressing the question, “why am I not ovulating?”—although they are not always completely accurate and may not detect ovulation in every cycle. Tracking not only helps you pinpoint your most fertile days, it also gives you valuable insight into your overall cycle health.
For a detailed, step-by-step approach to understanding your fertile window and making the most of it, explore our Complete Guide to Ovulation Tracking.
If you’re wondering when the right time is to consult a fertility specialist, several key signs can guide your decision. Seeking help early can preserve time, reduce emotional burden, and improve your odds of conceiving by uncovering and treating issues sooner.
Prioritizing restful sleep, nourishing your body with nutrient-rich foods for fertility, and managing stress in healthy ways can create the hormonal balance your body needs for regular ovulation. These small but powerful changes not only improve the odds of getting pregnant, they also strengthen your overall reproductive health, helping you feel more in tune with your body and its natural rhythms.
Being significantly underweight or overweight can disrupt hormone balance and interfere with ovulation.
According to the Office on Women’s Health, a BMI below 18.5 can stop the body from producing enough estrogen, leading to irregular cycles or lack of ovulation, while excess body fat can contribute to hormone imbalances that make conception more difficult (Office on Women’s Health, 2021).
As mentioned earlier, Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common conditions affecting fertility, and it is often associated with excess body weight, which can further impact reproductive function. Carrying too much body fat can interfere with reproductive function in several ways. Fat cells produce estrogen, and when estrogen levels rise beyond normal, the body may respond as though it is already pregnant or under the influence of hormonal birth control, which can disrupt ovulation and menstrual cycles.
Excess weight also contributes to problems such as increased leptin production, insulin resistance, and reduced levels of sex hormone–binding globulin (SHBG), all of which further disturb the hormonal balance needed for regular fertility.
The Fertility Coalition emphasizes that obesity not only affects natural ovulation but can also reduce the success rates of fertility treatments like in vitro fertilization (Your Fertility).
The encouraging news is that even a modest weight loss of about 5–10% can restore healthier hormone patterns, improve ovulation, and significantly boost overall reproductive health, especially for those managing PCOS.
For those who are underweight (BMI 18.5 or less), low estrogen levels are a common problem. This can result in irregular menstrual cycles and loss of ovulation, particularly in individuals with eating disorders such as anorexia. In addition, underweight individuals who do become pregnant face higher risks of miscarriage, premature birth, or delivering low-birth-weight babies compared with their healthier peers.
If you are underweight or overweight, it’s important to consult a healthcare provider. A doctor can guide you safely through the best steps to restore balance and support your fertility journey.
Myo-inositol, quercetin, and adaptogens like Ashwagandha have been studied for their ability to support hormonal balance and improve ovarian function. Research highlights how supplements such as myo-inositol can positively influence ovarian physiology and metabolic health in women with fertility challenges (Nestler et al., 2021). Alongside these, treatments may include targeted supplementation or clinical referrals for specialized care. Together, these approaches can help address underlying issues linked to infertility warning signs, offering a clearer path toward conception and renewed confidence in your fertility journey.
Understanding your body, recognizing early warning signs, and seeking timely support can make a profound difference in your fertility journey. While no two experiences are the same, addressing lifestyle factors, maintaining hormonal balance, and exploring both natural and clinical interventions can all improve the odds of getting pregnant in a natural way. If challenges arise, remember that support from healthcare providers and fertility specialists can help uncover underlying issues and create a personalized plan. With the right knowledge, care, and proactive steps, you can move forward with confidence and a clearer path toward building the family you envision.
Cleveland Clinic. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): Symptoms & Treatment. Cleveland Clinic Health Library. Last reviewed February 15, 2023. [Cleveland Clinic]
Moghissi KS. Accuracy of basal body temperature for ovulation detection. Fertil Steril. 1976;27(12):1041-1050. doi:10.1016/S0015-0282(16)42257-0. [Fertility and Sterility]
Su HW, Yi YC, Wei TY, Chang TC, Cheng CM. Detection of ovulation, a review of currently available methods. Bioengineering & Translational Medicine. 2017;2(3):238-246. doi:10.1002/btm2.10058. PMID: 29313033. PMCID: PMC5689497. [PMC]
Palomba S, Daolio J, Romeo S, Battaglia FA, Marci R, La Sala GB. Lifestyle and fertility: the influence of stress and quality of life on female fertility. Reprod Biol Endocrinol. 2018;16(1):113. doi:10.1186/s12958-018-0434-y. PMID: 30526633. PMCID: PMC6284638. [rbej.biomedcentral]
Fan H, Ren Q, Sheng Z, Deng G, Li L. The role of the thyroid in polycystic ovary syndrome. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2023;14:1242050. doi:10.3389/fendo.2023.1242050. PMID: 37867519. PMCID: PMC10585146. [PMC]
American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Fertility evaluation of infertile women: a committee opinion. Fertil Steril. 2021;116(5):1255-1265. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2021.09.013. PMID: 34742566. [ASRM]
Office on Women’s Health. Weight, fertility, and pregnancy. womenshealth.gov. Published May 31, 2021. [womanshealth.gov]
Fertility Coalition (Your Fertility). How Does Being Overweight Affect My Fertility? Latest News. [Your Fertility]
Trinczek B, et al. Efficacy of myo-inositol supplementation on ovarian function and metabolic parameters: a randomized, double-blind trial in PCOS patients. Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2022;14(5):504. PMID: 35612345; PMCID: PMC8227031. [PMC]
Vašková J, Klepcová Z, Špaková I, Urdzík P, Štofilová J, Bertková I, Kľoc M, Rabajdová M. The Importance of Natural Antioxidants in Female Reproduction. Antioxidants (Basel). 2023 Apr 11;12(4):907. doi:10.3390/antiox12040907. PMID: 37107282; PMCID: PMC10135990. [PMC]
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Team Vitabae is a dedicated group of researchers and entrepreneurs united by a shared mission: to redefine prenatal health through science-backed nutrition. Through every article and insight, we highlight our commitment to transparency, high-quality ingredients, and genuine care.
Team Vitabae is a dedicated group of researchers and entrepreneurs united by a shared mission: to redefine prenatal health through science-backed nutrition. Through every article and insight, we highlight our commitment to transparency, high-quality ingredients, and genuine care.
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