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Whether you’re trying to conceive right now, or just thinking about growing your family someday, it’s a good idea to get a grasp on your fertility. Understanding your body is an important tool when TTC, and learning more about yourself can also help you determine if you may need assisted reproductive technology (ART) at some point.
For the most part, there are several high-fertility predictors that you can keep an eye out for on your own, without making an appointment with your doctor. By familiarizing yourself with these signs, you can start your pregnancy journey from a well-informed place. Read on for 8 signs of high fertility in women, with insights provided by Jessica Boone MPA, PA-C, infertility PA, and CEO of Fortitude Fertility Consulting.
8 signs of high fertility in women
1. Regular and consistent menstrual cycles
Any faithful Rescripted reader likely knows by now that understanding your menstrual cycle is imperative when TTC. So it shouldn’t come as a surprise that “one of the clearest signs of high fertility is having regular menstrual cycles,” says Boone.
“Women with cycles that fall between 24 and 35 days are more likely to ovulate regularly, which is crucial for conception.” Ovulation, aka the release of a mature egg from the ovaries occurring about 14 days before your menstrual period is a key cycle event, says Boone. “The likelihood of conception is higher among women who can predict their ovulation.” In addition, she says that women with regular ovulation patterns tend to experience a spike in luteinizing hormone (LH) mid-cycle, “which is a strong indicator of fertility.”
If you are experiencing irregular or inconsistent cycles, you will want to consult your healthcare provider. Cycle regularity could be impacted by any number of factors, including insulin resistance and thyroid function, says Boone.
2. Cervical mucus changes
If you want intimate knowledge of your body’s potential, it’s time to grab that toilet paper and examine your cervical mucus, which, Boone says, is another strong fertility predictor.
Around the time of ovulation, you’ll want to take a look at your vaginal discharge (fun, right?), and check if it’s “clear, stretchy, and similar to raw egg whites,” says Boone. “This change in cervical mucus is due to the increase in estrogen production from the growing follicle on your ovary.” As a result, this elastic type of cervical mucus helps sperm survive and travel through the cervix to meet the egg.
3. Basal body temperature rise
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To learn more about your ovulation patterns, Boone recommends monitoring your basal body temperature (BBT) – the lowest temperature your body reaches after a period of rest (usually taken when you first wake up in the morning). “A slight increase in BBT, typically by 0.5 to 1 degree Fahrenheit, occurs after ovulation due to the release of the hormone progesterone from the corpus luteum, or remnant of the follicle that ovulated that month,” she explains. “This temperature shift indicates that ovulation has occurred and provides valuable insight into the second half of your menstrual cycle, the luteal phase.”
4. Stable weight and healthy BMI
“Body fat plays a vital role in hormone production and regulation,” says Boone, “particularly hormones like estrogen that are essential for reproduction.” So it’s important to maintain a healthy weight for your height (aka Body Mass Index, or BMI). Too much or too little body fat can impact your ovulation and menstrual cycles, which can affect your fertility:
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Underweight people (BMI below 18.5) have “insufficient body fat,” which can “reduce estrogen levels, disrupt menstrual cycles, and decrease ovulation frequency, making conception more difficult,” says Boone.
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Overweight or Obese people (BMI over 25) have “excess weight,” which can lead “to overproduction of estrogen, which may also interfere with menstrual cycles and ovulation,” explains Boone.
5. Absence of underlying health conditions
A strong indicator of high fertility in a woman is if she doesn’t have any underlying health conditions. “It signifies that the body's reproductive system is functioning optimally, without the interference of health issues that could complicate conception and pregnancy,” says Boone. Now, this doesn’t mean pregnancy is impossible if you do have a pre-existing condition, but it's a good idea to make an appointment with your healthcare provider to discuss your options.
“Conditions such as PCOS, endometriosis, thyroid disorders, and untreated sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can significantly impact a woman’s ability to conceive,” says Boone. And don’t write off medical conditions that, on the surface, are unrelated to reproduction, like diabetes and autoimmune diseases. “These can [also] impact your fertility as your body systems are all interconnected,” she says.
6. Optimal reproductive age
There it is, the dreaded age factor. Unfortunately, you can’t ignore the science: “Women in their 20s and early 30s are generally considered to be at their peak fertility,” says Boone. “Fertility starts to decline in the mid-30s, with a more pronounced drop after age 37.”
The reason why age (ugh) makes such a difference is because it’s during these prime reproductive years that a woman’s ovaries contain a greater number of eggs – not to mention the quality of those eggs is typically higher. “Good egg quality is essential for successful fertilization and healthy embryo development,” explains Boone. Also, “women in this age range are more likely to have regular menstrual cycles, signaling consistent ovulation, which increases the chances of an egg being available for fertilization each month.”
7. Regular physical activity
Engaging in a regular exercise routine benefits your overall health, which includes fertility. “Exercise helps maintain a healthy body weight, reduces stress, stabilizes your mood, and regulates hormones, all of which can impact your fertility,” says Boone.
But Boone also warns against excessive, high-intensity exercise, which can have the opposite effect on your fertility. Overdoing it on physical activity can “potentially disrupt menstrual cycles and affect ovulation.” A good rule of thumb is to engage in “at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week, including those planning to conceive.”
8. Healthy ovarian reserve
Ovarian reserve refers to the total number of eggs in a woman's ovaries at any given time. While age is an important factor in fertility, Boone says that ovarian reserve provides a more precise measure of a woman’s reproductive potential: “A healthy reserve indicates that the ovaries are functioning well, potentially extending fertility for a longer period.”
Unlike the other signs of high fertility, you will need to see a healthcare professional to assess your ovarian reserve. Your provider will likely test your anti-müllerian hormone (AMH) levels, or perform an antral follicle count (AFC) via transvaginal ultrasound.
Although the ovarian reserve is primarily dependent on genetics, lifestyle choices can also have an effect. “Maintaining a balanced diet, engaging in regular physical activity, avoiding smoking, and managing stress are all important strategies to support ovarian health and overall fertility,” says Boone.
Sarene Leeds holds an M.S. in Professional Writing from NYU, and is a seasoned journalist, having written and reported on subjects ranging from TV and pop culture to health, wellness, and parenting over the course of her career. Her work has appeared in Rolling Stone, The Wall Street Journal, Vulture, SheKnows, and numerous other outlets. A staunch mental health advocate, Sarene also hosts the podcast “Emotional Abuse Is Real.” Visit her website here, or follow her on Instagram or Threads.