Giving birth is one of the most valuable moments in the life of a woman. However, a number of women do not know when they should start trying to get a baby. They are wondering if they should wait, or if they wait too long, will it be a problem? So much information is flying around that it is overwhelming. This is why the fertility age chart is important to understand.
This guide is created to make you realise the influence of your age on fertility and what happens to your fertility when you get older, and also how you can plan to have a healthy pregnancy. Whether you are contemplating doing it now or in the future, this blog will provide you with the right information to make informed decisions.
What Is Fertility and What Is the Impact of Age on Fertility in Women?
Fertility refers to the inherent characteristic in a woman to become pregnant and bear a child. Women are born with all the eggs they will ever make; unlike men, who continue to generate fresh sperm throughout their lives. A woman is born with all the eggs they are going to have. This number is one or two million when a person is born. However, it reduces to approximately 300,000 to 400,000 by the time a child enters puberty. Hundreds of eggs are lost every month, although typically, only one will fully develop and is released during ovulation. The fewer in quantity and the worse in quality, the eggs will have a woman as she grows older.
The egg number in women differs from that in men, who contribute new sperm throughout their lives. It implies that age has a direct effect on fertility. More youthful women possess healthier eggs, which are less likely to have issues with chromosomes, and older women have fewer eggs and more misshapen eggs.
That is why, in their 20s, women have the best possible probabilities of natural pregnancy, and these probabilities slowly decrease when they enter into 30s and 40s.
Infertility and Knowledge of the Fertility Age Chart
How about we take it one year at a time, so you can have a realistic view of your fertility window? What is the normal female fertility calendar? Here are the basics of the normal fertility timeline:
- 20-24 The Most Fertile Years
- Peak fertility, when natural conception faces the greatest probabilities.
- The possibility of falling pregnant every month is approximately 25-30 per cent.
- Egg quality is high, and it is unlikely to miscarry or have genetic problems.
- This is the age when you can conceive easily and naturally, in case it is your desire.
- 25-29 Years: Very fertile anymore
- Fertility is also high.
- The probabilities of conception each month come to about 20 to 25 per cent.
- Egg quality remains high, but there is a very slight downward trend starting.
- This is the age that is still regarded as safe biologically in so far as pregnancy is concerned.
- 30 to 34 Years: Declining Begins
- The fertility gradually begins to decline.
- Conception or pregnancy chances decrease to 15 to 20 monthly.
- Minor risk of miscarriage and hereditary problems.
- In this age category, many couples are beginning to have babies, although it might take a while before conception takes place.
- 35-39: Sharper Decline Sets In
- The fertility diminishes to a greater extent, particularly over 37 years old.
- The chances of becoming pregnant monthly fall to a range of about 10 to 15 per cent.
- The quantity and quality of eggs are reduced, and there are increased chances of the occurrence of chromosome abnormalities such as Down syndrome.
- It may be useful to get assistance through the use of assisted reproductive methods of achieving pregnancy, such as IUI or IVF, in case of delayed conception.
- 40 to 44: Natural Fertility becomes Low
- The fertility rates are reduced to less than 5 per cent monthly.
- Excessively high risk of miscarriage or issues related to the genes.
- The quality of eggs is far reduced.
- IVF with own eggs or donor eggs is an option that many women within this age group take to get pregnant.
- 45 and older: Fertility is Extremely Low
- It is a very rare time to have a natural pregnancy at this age.
- To conceive, most women require donor eggs or donor embryos.
- There is also the risk of health complications of pregnancy, like high blood pressure or gestational diabetes.
- Close supervision and specialist help are important.
The Science of the Fertility Decline with Age
Why do things change to such an extent with age? These are the main reasons why:
- Female Egg Loss: The number of eggs lost each month is in the hundreds. At the age of 40, there are only a few thousand left.
- Egg Ageing: Old eggs will most likely have faulty genes that may render fertilisation difficult and may result in risks of miscarriages or miscarried children.
- Hormonal changes: Our hormones either decline with age, e.g. the estrogen and progesterone levels weaken, the ovulation becomes infrequent, and the lining of the endometrium is nonreceptive.
- Health Factors: The health factors which influence fertility are conditions like endometriosis, fibroids or clogged up fallopian tubes, which are more common in someone as he/she get older.
Your Ovarian Age Vs. Your Real Age
The woman may ask, Why will my fertility decline at 35? I am fine. The response is the biological age of the ovaries and not your birthday age. Your ovaries age anyway, regardless of whether you are fit and/or active.
Some tests, such as AMH (Anti-Mullerian Hormone) and antral follicle count (AFC), can be used to measure the number of eggs left in you by a doctor. This is what is referred to as your ovarian reserve. It is a better indicator of fertility than being older.
Assuming you are intending to have a baby, then taking the tests before the age of 3035 would give you a clear idea and you will plan accordingly without any panic.
What is the Best Time to Conceive?
Biologically, the 20s are the best. However, in reality, this is the period when many women are concentrated on studies and their career and life aims. That is quite proper.
Planning your first pregnancy by the age of 35 is best in case you have a desire to have a child without any medical assistance. Pregnant women up to 35 years old have a higher chance of becoming pregnant, but may require more time and assisted reproductive treatments.
The bottom line is that the right time might be when you think you are mentally, emotionally, physically, and financially ready and when you know at what time your body has different needs at different times.
What are how can you save Your Fertility?
Egg freezing is an option that modern science presents to those who are not yet ready to have a baby at the moment but do not want to restrict their futures in any way.
- Egg freezing gives the ability to save your younger and healthy fertilised eggs.
- It is a program that is most effective when performed later in your 20s or early 30s.
- The eggs could be easily kept in frozen form for 10 years and still be used by IVF.
- You should undergo fertility preservation, particularly when family history of early menopause
- Require treatment in the health field, such as chemotherapy
- I still don’t have children, but I want to leave the options open
At Ganga Laxmi IVF Lucknow, we provide sophisticated egg freezing services with having high success rate and empathetic counselling.
Tips to remain fertile at Any Age
You have no control over the fact that your ovaries are ageing, but you have control over protecting your fertility using simple choices in your lifestyle:
- Consume a well-balanced diet that is full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants
- Be active moderately
- Stay away from smoking, as it damages egg quality
- Limit alcohol
- Having a normal weight level, whether underweight or overweight, perturbs your hormones
- Minimise stress via meditation, Yoga or hobbies
- Learn when you are at your fertile phase by tracking ovulation using ovulation apps or ovulation kits
- Get routine gynaecological tests
These daily practices assist in the longevity of reproductive health.
When to Visit a Fertility Doctor?
Assuming that you are:
- Younger than 35 and attempting to get pregnant for more than 12 months
- More than 35 years and attempting for more than 6 months
- Irregular periods
- PCOS or endometriosis diagnosed
- Having frequent miscarriages
This is the time to visit a fertility doctor.
The earlier you get to consult, the better your chance. Our Ganga Laxmi IVF Center in Lucknow refers to individual consultation, high-quality fertility tests, and assisted treatment plans to fulfil the dream of becoming a parent.
Emotional Fertility and Age
It is also expected that you may become pressured or uncomfortable when you are referred to as having a biological clock. Women are occasionally made to feel guilty about waiting or fearful of growing old by society.
And yet, fertility is individual. Each body and each story of woman is unique. It is never wrong to wait until you feel the urge to do it, and it is never wrong to begin to start trying when you feel it is the best time to start trying.
Correct information is the most crucial thing as it will help you to make the best choice and not panic, not regret. Being open and communicating with a fertility counsellor may help relieve anxieties and gain confidence.
Conclusion
The fertility age chart is a useful tool that can explain the nature of how natural fertility decreases with age in a woman. It is the biologically best time in your 20s and early 30s, although nowadays even later pregnancy can be possible.
What is important to establish is to know your body, keep track of your fertility status, and seek help when needed. The decision to have parenthood must be out of happy anticipation rather than compulsion.
The Ganga Laxmi IVF team will always be happy to answer your questions, with honesty, compassion, and respect, should you have any queries regarding your fertility timeline, ovarian reserve, or egg freezing solutions. Remember, your most blessed time of conception is the time you are informed, supported, and at the ready.