When it comes to fertility, age is often the most crucial factor to consider, as it can have a significant impact on your ability to conceive. For women, fertility peaks during their early to mid-20s and begins to gradually decline in their early 30s. After the age of 35, it becomes increasingly challenging for women to get pregnant naturally. There’s also a higher risk of experiencing complications during pregnancy.
Men, on the other hand, are often able to father children well into older ages; however, sperm quantity and quality typically diminish with age, making it more difficult to conceive. Age also increases the risk of causing genetic abnormalities in embryos.
While many factors can affect fertility, age is one of the most critical. Understanding the relationship between age and fertility is crucial for anyone who is considering starting a family or trying to conceive.
Advanced Maternal Age (Over 35 years old)
Ovarian reserve refers to the quality and quantity of eggs present in the ovaries at any given time.
Females are born with a set number of eggs, typically somewhere between one and two million. This number drops to about 300,000 to 400,000 by the time puberty approaches. During each ovulation cycle, the ovaries activate approximately 1,000 egg follicles, but only one egg reaches full maturation and is released. The remaining follicles disintegrate and are reabsorbed by the body. By a woman’s mid to late 30s, the number of remaining eggs decreases to approximately 80,000.
Eggs also diminish in quality as women age, which, in addition to making it more difficult to get pregnant, increases the risk of experiencing complications such as:
Premature birth
Low birth weights
Chromosomal abnormalities
Birth defects
Miscarriage and stillbirth
Gestational diabetes
Preeclampsia
If a woman chooses to delay having a child because of financial, career, social, or any other reason, one option to preserve fertility is oocyte cryopreservation, also known as egg freezing. Other popular options for individuals and couples over the age of 35 who are trying to conceive include:
In vitro fertilization (IVF) – the process of creating an embryo in a laboratory using eggs and sperm that have been retrieved from the aspiring parents and/or donors; once created, the embryo is transferred to the recipient’s uterus for implantation
Egg donation – the process of using donated eggs from a younger donor with healthy eggs to create an embryo
Preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) – a testing procedure in which a small sample of cells are biopsied from the embryo during the blastocyst stage and tested for chromosomal abnormalities
Age & Fertility FAQ
Age is one of the most important factors that can impact a woman’s fertility. Unlike other cells in the body that are capable of regenerating, egg cells do not. As such, women are born with a limited number of eggs, which are lost gradually over time with every monthly ovulation and menstrual cycle.
Fertility Care for Age-Related Infertility in Florida
The Reproductive Medicine Group has many years of experience diagnosing and treating age-related fertility concerns in Florida. With locations in North Tampa, South Tampa, Brandon, Clearwater, and Wesley Chapel, our expert team of fertility specialists is ready to answer all your questions and provide personalized fertility care. Don’t wait until it’s too late – take control of your reproductive health today and schedule an appointment with The Reproductive Medicine Group.
