Can conception fail?

Conception is the process of fertilizing an egg with a sperm to create a new individual. However, conception can fail for various reasons, such as:

• Poor timing or frequency of intercourse: Conception can only happen when the egg and the sperm are both available and viable. The egg can only survive for about 12 to 24 hours after ovulation, and the sperm can only survive for up to five days in the female reproductive tract. Therefore, the optimal window for conception is around the time of ovulation, when the egg is released from the ovary. Having intercourse too early or too late, or not often enough, can reduce the chances of conception.
• Low quality or quantity of the sperm or the egg: Conception requires healthy and functional sperm and egg cells. The sperm and the egg need to have the correct number and structure of chromosomes, the genetic material that determines the traits of the offspring. The sperm also need to have good motility, the ability to swim and move towards the egg, and morphology, the shape and structure of the sperm head and tail. The egg also needs to have a normal zona pellucida, the protective layer that surrounds the egg, and a normal cytoplasm, the fluid-filled interior of the egg that contains various molecules and organelles. Low quality or quantity of the sperm or the egg can be caused by infections, medications, lifestyle factors, age, or genetic disorders.
• Blocked or damaged fallopian tubes: Conception usually occurs in the fallopian tubes, the tubes that connect the ovaries and the uterus. The fallopian tubes need to be open and clear for the sperm and the egg to meet and fuse. However, the fallopian tubes can be blocked or damaged by pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), endometriosis, or previous surgeries. This can prevent the sperm from reaching the egg, or the fertilized egg from moving to the uterus.

Conception is a complex and delicate process that depends on many biological, hormonal, and environmental factors. Conception does not always succeed, and it can be affected by various factors that can be identified and treated. If you are having trouble conceiving, you may want to consult with your healthcare provider and get some tests done to determine the possible causes of conception failure and the best treatment options for you.