What are the Signs of High Fertility in A Woman?

Before moving to the signs of fertility in women, it's vital to know the reproductive base of a female body.

A woman's ovaries consist of a million thousand eggs when she is born. When she reaches puberty, the process of menstruation initiates in the body. The menstrual cycle is marked by the process of ovulation, which leads to the release of an egg every month. 

The egg matures inside the follicles (follicular phase) and is released once it's developed completely (ovulation phase) and built into the lining of the uterus. Post-ovulation (luteal phase) lasts about 14 days, during which implantation is expected. When intercourse does not happen, the egg will not get fertilised and implanted. As a result, the uterus lining will shed, and a woman will get periods. 

When intercourse happens, the egg will combine with the sperm. Pregnancy is nothing but the result of sperm and egg association which, in other words, is described as the process of egg fertilisation. 

Women possess high fertility during the initial years of menstruation. However, fertility begins to decline eventually when she nears menopause because of the decrease in ovarian reserves.

For women trying to get pregnant, it's vital to know the signs of fertility to have a clear picture of their likelihood of conceiving. Given below are some of the signs of high fertility in a woman: 

1. Regular menstrual cycle 
   A regular menstrual period is one of the marked signs of high fertility in a woman. If a woman gets periods every month without a miss or delay, it's considered an indication that she is ovulating regularly.
   Also, regularity in menstrual periods can help a woman to identify the precise days of ovulation by noting the last period date in the calendar. 
   This makes it much easier for her to know when to have sex in a month for conceiving. Contrary to this, irregular periods can suggest issues with the ovulation window, a sign of a low fertility level. 

2. A high number of antral follicles
   High antral follicle count is a proven sign of high fertility in a woman. Antrum follicles are the ones that reside on the ovaries. If these follicles are abundant in their active form, they indicate the rich ovarian reserves available for fertilisation. 
   The antral follicles can be evaluated by transvaginal sonography to visualise the ovaries. Thus, if a woman wishes to know her fertility level, she can estimate the antral follicle count by using an ultrasound. 

3. Variations in the cervical mucus 
   Keeping an eye on the variation of the cervical mucus can help women know their fertility status. The changes in the cervical fluid can be considered as one of the physical signs of fertility in a woman due to the shifts in its consistency.
   Usually, the cervical fluid has a watery base but fluctuates during the fertile window. Typically, the ovulation phase is when this change is expected to facilitate the transport of sperm to the egg. At this time, the mucus increases in volume, becoming rich in nutrients and smooth (slippery) textured, i.e. having a consistency similar to the raw egg white. 
   If a female possesses high fertility, the above-mentioned change in cervical mucus during the ovulation stage can aid the sperm to stay alive for longer, increasing the chances of conception. This can stand as a promising sign of fertility in women that can be evaluated by careful and regular observation of the underwear liner. 

4. Rise in body temperature
   Signs of high fertility in a woman can also include changes in the basal body temperature during ovulation. The reason behind measuring the basal body temperature is its sensitivity compared to the regular thermometer. During ovulation, the basal body temperature in women tends to rise slightly. 
   If a woman wishes to know how fertile she is, she can note the basal temperature every day for at least three months after waking up in the morning. A sustainable rise just after the expected ovulation date can be deemed a potential sign of high fertility in a woman. 

5. Increased hormonal levels
   Out of the many signs of fertility in women, an increase in the specific hormones in the bloodstream is a strong and more reliable indicator.
   At the beginning of the ovulation phase of the menstrual cycle, LH (Luteinizing Hormone) and FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone) are expected to rise. These hormones are also regarded as reproductive because they are essential in fertilisation. 
   The increase in LH levels leads to swelling and rupturing of the follicles. This usually occurs within 16-32 hours after the LH surges in the body. The ruptured follicle then releases an egg that traverses for fertilisation.
   One can take a blood test during the ovulation window of the month to know their LH and FSH levels; its raised levels are a good sign of high fertility in women. 
   Likewise, an increase in the progesterone level can also be recorded to know if ovulation has occurred. Evaluating blood progesterone levels a week before the expected menstrual period can aid the woman in understanding if she ovulates. 

6. Experiencing mittelschmerz
   Mittelschmerz can be counted as one of the physical signs of fertility in a woman. This is a kind of discomfort or mild cramp in the abdomen or pelvic region during the ovulation phase of the month. 
   This pain is called the rupturing of follicles, which may release minute quantities of blood or other fluid. The pain can be felt on either side of the ovary and can be either sharp or dull, depending upon one's physical health. Similarly, the intensity and duration of pain may also differ from person to person. 
   These minute but relevant signs of fertility in women can be observed during ovulation, which can also be accompanied by the feeling of heaviness in the lower abdomen. Though this pain relates to ovulation, it is likely that it suggests other health adversity not linked to fertilisation. Thus, on noticing any unusual and unbearable discomfort, it's crucial to seek medical help. 

7. Other physical signs
   Other signs of good fertility in a woman are the physical changes in the body. In some women, the breast tends to get more tender, or the nipples become sore during ovulation. 
   In others, the tenderness in the breast can be felt just before or after ovulation. Though this symptom is mild and does not feature the exact time of ovulation, it can still give a rough idea of fertility.
   Bloating is also a physical sign of fertility in a woman. Some women experience bloating in the stomach just before or during ovulation. Since bloating can happen at any time due to other ailments, it is not a more reliable indicator of the fertilisation process.

Besides signs of fertility in women, there are specific tests that enable medical practitioners to diagnose if a woman is fertile or not. Given below are some of them: 

1. HSG or Hysterosalpingography
   This test is employed for determining the presence of blockages in the fallopian tubes and assessing the health of the uterus. HSG is a scan where X-rays are taken after injecting the contrast in the uterus.
   If the fluid travels uninterruptedly, then it can be concluded that the fallopian tubes do not have any blockage, i.e. absence of infertility. 
2. Ultrasound
   Ultrasound or sonography of the pelvis can evaluate the presence of diseases related to the uterus and ovaries.  The doctor can also advise ultrasound for conducting ovulation studies.
   Besides this, saline infusion sonogram and TVS (Trans Vaginal Sonography) are the advanced forms of ultrasound which, at times, are also used to look for the fine details which are not clear in the regular scan.
3. Hormonal tests
   The doctor can advise hormonal tests such as FSH, LH and Progesterone on the specified days of the menstrual cycle. Urine or blood tests of these hormones can play an essential role in knowing a woman's fertility rate.
4. Laparoscopy
   It's an advanced test usually employed by practitioners when the diagnosis from other investigations is not strong. It's a minimally invasive procedure that looks for possibilities of complications such as endometriosis and problems with the uterus, ovaries and fallopian tubes
   In some cases, laparoscopy is preferred by the doctor when the aim is to diagnose and treat the condition at the same time.
5. Hysteroscopy
   Hysteroscopy is a procedure where a thin tubule fixed with a camera is inserted through the vagina. This test looks for abnormalities in the uterus, ovaries and fallopian tubes.
   Also, hysteroscopy promotes other ways of diagnosis by allowing the practitioner to extract the small part or piece of the organ, i.e. tissue sampling.

In case the signs of fertility in women are not noticeable, there are chances that efficiency is missing or lacking in the reproductive system. There are numerous ways to promote fertility in women, some of them are featured below: 

1. Maintaining the right weight is important for sustaining good reproductive health. This is because being overweight or underweight is found to be associated with a decrease in fertility.
   Also, obesity is one of the causes of irregular periods, which can lead to an impaired ovulation process.
2. Unhealthy habits such as tobacco consumption and smoking are known to result in early ageing of the ovaries and depleting the egg reserves. Further, excessive alcohol intake also increases the risk of ovulation disorders, contributing to reduced fertility.
3. Stress leads to hormonal changes in the body, sometimes unfavourable for a woman's reproductive health. It has been found that stress can negatively affect fertility in females. Thus, to improve the chances of conception, a woman must stay stress-free and catch adequate sleep.
4. Being mindful of the medications is equally essential, as some drugs are found to suppress fertility. Birth control pills, medicines for seizures, thyroid issues, etc., must be consumed as per the doctor's prescription to know if they are harmful to reproductive health.
5. Proteins, antioxidants, and multivitamins are the elements a woman must consider consuming to improve fertility. Also, it's important to have meals on time and never skip breakfast.
   It has been found that having proper breakfast aids in reducing insulin, as high insulin levels are connected with infertility.

A healthy reproductive system represents signs of high fertility in a woman. Acknowledging these indications can help a woman significantly when planning to conceive.

Moreover, it's always better to self-evaluate the level of fertility before adversity knocks on the door. Though most fertile women show these signs, there are also possibilities that some fertile women might not display or observe the physical changes (besides regular menses and hormonal balance). 

Seeking professional help becomes relevant when a woman's signs of good fertility are missing or hard to comprehend. It is usually advised not to avoid complications or wrong signals regarding reproductive health.

Look for medical experts from a reliable source, such as HexaHealth. We have the most proficient and qualified doctors to help you gain the best medical advice and related treatment. Get in touch with us to experience excellent healthcare services.