You may have heard that age can affect your fertility–but did you know there are ways to get around it? As people delay childbirth, fertility rates decline. And since fertility declines with age, it’s worth considering if you’re planning to have children later. This blog post by Infano talks about the factors responsible for good fertility health and how age contributes to it.
What is Fertility?
Fertility is the natural ability to reproduce. It can be measured by looking at how many eggs are in a woman’s ovaries, what type of eggs they are (e.g., mature or immature) and how regularly menstruation occurs (e.g., monthly or not). Fertility is an important part of the health of women and men. For example, if a couple wants to have a baby but cannot get pregnant, then the couple would want to know why they are unable to conceive.
How is Good Fertility Health Assessed?
The health of women and men is assessed by looking at a number of things including:
• Women’s overall health and habits. For example, if a woman has any chronic diseases ( e.g., diabetes, hypertension), is overweight or underweight, does not get enough exercise, etc.
• Men’s overall health and habits. For example, if a man has any chronic diseases ( e.g., diabetes, hypertension), is overweight or underweight, does not exercise enough, etc.
• Women’s menstrual periods. If a woman is having irregular periods or none at all, then this can be a sign of potential fertility problems.
• Women’s ovulation patterns. If a woman is ovulating regularly but having no menstrual period or a very light period, then this can also be a sign of potential fertility problems.
• Women’s sexual activity (or lack thereof). If a woman is having intercourse regularly but not ovulating, she may have a fertility problem.
• Personal histories of infertility. This is especially important for women who have had previous problems becoming pregnant or carrying a pregnancy Fertility is the natural ability to get pregnant.
A person’s fertility can vary depending on factors such as age, stress levels, and lifestyle habits like smoking and drinking alcohol. Couples that are having difficulty getting pregnant typically go through a number of tests to determine if there is an underlying problem. These tests may include hormone levels, infertility medications, and even surgery.
Why Age Matters
Many factors affect reproductive health and fertility, and age is one of the most important. Women’s eggs may not be as healthy or plentiful in their 30s and 40s, which means that their chances of getting pregnant are lower. On the other hand, some women in their 30s and 40s have healthy eggs.
Age may affect your fertility, but there’s no way to know exactly how. The majority of women can conceive children naturally in their 30s, 40s and even into their 50s. Women who use assisted reproductive technologies (ART) have higher success rates in their 30s than women closer to 40, and pregnancy rates increase slightly again in the early 50 s. After age 50, success rates for pregnancy using ART are only about 5 percent.
So if you’re in your 20s, it’s best to avoid ART and try your luck on your own. Even if you’re in your 30s, it’s not too late to have a baby, as long as you’re healthy and not trying to have more than one child. Women close to or in their 40s but in good overall health have about a 15 percent chance of conceiving naturally within the first year and about a 30 percent chance if they go the ART route. If you’re over 40, it would be wise to consult with your doctor about whether you should pursue ART or use a donor egg.
It’s important to remember that even if you get pregnant using ART, you’re not guaranteed an outcome. You could have complications and miscarriages. You could lose the baby in your early weeks, or the baby could be born with birth defects or genetic abnormalities. Even in the best-case scenario, you could have a baby with Down syndrome or another health condition. If you’re thinking of pursuing ART, know that you have choices. Fertility clinics aren’t required to tell you about all your options, so be sure to do your own research and ask questions
How Women Can Improve Their Fertility
One of the best ways to improve fertility is to avoid smoking. Smoking can negatively affect fertility by altering hormone levels, lowering egg quality, or interfering with ovulation. If you are unable to quit smoking, at least try to cut back in order to maximize your chances of getting pregnant. Other factors that can hinder your success include alcohol consumption and emotional stress. Losing weight and exercising can also help. Obesity, especially excess body fat around your waist, is a known risk factor for ovulation disorders. Excessive alcohol consumption can impair the quality of eggs and sperm, as can stress. Lastly, if you are over age 35, and have not been able to have a baby within one year, you should be evaluated for infertility
How Men Can Improve Their Fertility
Male infertility is a real problem. If you are trying to have a baby, but are having trouble getting pregnant, it can be hard to figure out why. Male infertility has many potential causes, but the most common factor is low sperm count. When there are fewer than 20 million sperm per milliliter of semen, this is typically considered to be the cause of male infertility.
Conclusions
After many years of research, scientists have concluded that a healthy lifestyle can contribute to good fertility health. Studies showed that women who lead an active lifestyle, engage in regular physical activity, and maintain a healthy weight are more likely to conceive at a normal time frame. Diet and exercise can be helpful in some infertility cases, but they should not be the first approach. Before your doctor recommends a fertility diet or exercise program a thorough medical evaluation should be completed to find the cause of infertility.
For more articles on reproductive and menstrual health, click here.
