As time passes by, our bodies go through several changes, and aging impacts our fertility. Fertility, or the ability to conceive and carry a baby to term, varies between individuals and changes with age.

Understanding how fertility changes with age is essential for people who are planning to conceive and want to know their reproductive lifespan.

Female Fertility

A woman’s fertility starts to decline around the age of 32, and this decline accelerates around the age of 37, leading to decreased fertility. The number of eggs in a woman’s ovaries also decreases with age.

Unlike men, women are born with a finite number of eggs that do not regenerate throughout their lives. As women age, their remaining eggs become less viable, leading to increased difficulty getting pregnant with age.

Furthermore, as women age, those with existing medical conditions such as endometriosis, polycystic ovarian syndrome, and other issues may have an even harder time conceiving.

These medical conditions can damage the reproductive system and decrease the number of viable eggs in a woman’s ovaries.

Male Fertility

While women are born with a finite number of eggs, men continually produce sperm throughout their lives. However, the quality and quantity of sperm a man produces can decrease with age.

Men over the age of 40 have a lower chance of impregnating their partner, and they are more likely to have children with genetic mutations, such as Down syndrome.

Men who engage in harmful behaviors such as smoking and heavy drinking are at an increased risk of reduced sperm count and motility, which can impact fertility.

Medical conditions, such as Varicocele and other hormonal problems, can also negatively affect a man’s fertility.

Assisted Reproduction Options

For couples struggling with infertility due to age or other health conditions, assisted reproductive technologies such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) offer the chance to conceive.

IVF involves removing eggs from a woman’s ovaries, fertilizing them with sperm in a laboratory dish, and then transferring the resulting embryos to the woman’s uterus.

Other assisted reproductive technologies, such as Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), involve directly injecting a single sperm into an egg. ICSI is useful when a man’s sperm count is low or when sperm motility is poor.

Assisted reproductive technologies allow couples to conceive, but they come with risks and expenses.

Women undergoing IVF treatments may experience side effects from medication, and there is a risk of overstimulating the ovaries, which can lead to dangerous complications.

Tips for Maintaining Fertility

There are many ways that individuals can improve their chances of retaining fertility as they age. Healthy lifestyle choices, such as exercising regularly, eating a balanced diet, and avoiding smoking and heavy drinking, can improve fertility.

Maintaining a healthy weight can also help improve overall fertility levels.

Women can track their menstrual cycles to identify the most fertile days when trying to conceive. Men should also seek medical attention if they are experiencing symptoms of low sperm count, such as reduced libido or difficulty ejaculating.

Additionally, reducing stress and ensuring that couples are having regular sexual intercourse can improve their chances of conceiving.

Understanding the changes that occur with age and seeking professional help when necessary can also help individuals maintain fertility as they age.

Conclusion

Fertility is a complex issue that varies between individuals and changes with age. Women’s fertility declines more sharply than men’s as they age, due to the depletion of the finite number of eggs in their ovaries.

While men continue to produce sperm throughout their lifetime, the quality and quantity of the sperm can decrease with age. Couples struggling with infertility have several options available, including assisted reproductive technologies like IVF and ICSI.

By maintaining a healthy lifestyle and seeking professional help when necessary, it is possible to maintain fertility as we age.