Whilst there isn’t a link between painful periods and fertility, the regularity of your cycles is one indication of your fertility.

If you have long cycles you are reducing your opportunities each month to get pregnant and if you have irregular cycles the chances are you’re not ovulating. Having irregular cycles doesn’t mean you can’t get pregnant.

If you are having irregular cycles or painful periods we recommend consulting your GP.

You’re most fertile at the time of ovulation, this is when the egg is released from the ovaries. Depending on your cycle length this will occur at different times for everyone. Generally it occurs 12 to 16 days before your next period starts. 

Sperm can live inside a woman’s body for up to 5 days so having regular sex throughout your cycle can boost your chances of conception as the sperm will be
ready to fertilise when the egg is released.  

Men will continue to produce sperm throughout their life however, as they get older the quality of the sperm will decline. The quality of a man's semen will peak between the age of 30-35. Diet, stress, alcohol, smoking and exercise can all affect the quality of sperm, so it is important a man is supporting his sperm health at least 3 months before trying. 

Trying for a baby or going through fertility treatment can be a stressful time, however research does suggest that high stress may lower fertility chances. Whilst stress is unavoidable, try and find ways that help you unwind and relax like reading a book, mediation or going for a walk. Try and avoid hot baths or hot tubs when trying for a baby as this may affect sperm quality and increase the risk of miscarriage in early pregnancy.