19th October 2012 | by MFC Team
A new formula could help predict your chances of getting pregnant
Researchers at Warwick Medical School have developed a mathematical formula to help couples predict their chances of conceiving a child, and to assess when they should seek medical attention if they are having difficulty achieving pregnancy. As a general rule, couples are advised to seek medical attention after unsuccessfully trying to conceive a child for a period of one year. However, the results of this study suggest that women in their mid 30s may benefit from visiting their doctor after only 6 months.
The formula is based on a woman’s age and how long she has been trying to conceive a child. For example, according to the formula, the likelihood of a 25 year old woman naturally conceiving a child drops below 10% after approximately 13 menstrual cycles during which she was unsuccessful conceiving a child. By the age of 30, the likelihood of achieving pregnancy drops below 10% after only 10 months, and by 35 a woman’s chances of conceiving are predicted to drop below 10% after only 6 months. However, it is important to remember that these formulas are based on the general population and do not take into consideration important individual factors such as a family history of premature ovarian failure.
The researchers who conducted this study suggest that people may benefit from this formula being translated into an online calculator so they can predict when they should seek the advice of a medical professional. Dr. Geraldine Hartshorne of Warwick Medical School co-authored this study, and says that “approaching a doctor about such a personal matter is daunting so knowing when is the right time to start investigations would be a useful step forward”. She also notes that “Pregnancy is a game of chance but having as much information as possible is usually a good thing. People can have tests if they want to and then make the next decision that is right for them.”
The American Society for Reproductive Medicine and the Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society recommend that women 35 and over consult a fertility specialist if they have been unable to achieve a pregnancy after 6 months.
Read an article about this new formula here:
Formula to predict chances of pregnancy [The Telegraph Online]
Read the study abstract here.
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