Age and Fertility
Increasing age reduces fertility for both men and women.
Female fertility
The decline in a woman’s fertility becomes apparent from the early thirties, and is more significant from the mid-thirties. The chance of getting pregnant in each natural menstrual cycle is nearly 20% in women aged 30 or less, but drops to 5% in women by the time they turn 40.
Male fertility
Age also affects men’s fertility but at a later stage and on a smaller scale compared to women. To some extent, having more frequent intercourse can compensate for this. Having intercourse every two to three days is ideal for fertility.
Why does age affect female fertility?
The main effect of age on female fertility is a reduction in ‘ovarian reserve’. Ovarian reserve refers to the number and quality of eggs that remain in the ovaries and is reduced in older women. Pregnancies conceived in older women also have a higher chance of carrying chromosomal abnormalities and therefore miscarriage.
How does age affect fertility treatment?
The age of the woman can affect the success rates of infertility treatments, such as IVF. The older the woman, the lower the chance of having a baby through IVF or other fertility treatments, when using her own eggs.
It makes sense to consider the potential effect of age, when deciding the appropriate time to start trying for a baby.
When should I see a doctor?
If you are trying for a baby and you have any known problem that you think may affect your fertility, then you should seek advice from your GP at an early stage. Otherwise it is reasonable to try for one year before seeking advice. If the woman is over 35 years of age, you should see your doctor if you have not managed to conceive after 6 months of trying.
Can I preserve my fertility?
Some women may choose to have fertility preservation. They can undergo ovarian stimulation with fertility drugs and then freeze their eggs for use in the future. This option is less suitable after the age of 35, but is something you can seek individual advice on.
