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Every woman embarks on a unique journey of fertility, a journey that is delicately intertwined with the passage of time. Aging undeniably impacts fertility, but understanding its implications, demystifying its complexities, and knowing how to navigate its challenges can bring clarity to your family planning goals.
At Cornforth Gynecology and Med Spa, board-certified OB/GYN, Katherine Cornforth, and our team, including Elizabeth Hernandez, RN, MSN, WHCNP, are committed to guiding our patients through their personal fertility journey.
In this post, we delve into the nuances of how age affects fertility, providing essential information to empower you on your path to motherhood.
The biology of your fertility clock
To fully comprehend how age affects fertility, it’s essential to understand the biology of your “fertility clock.” Women are born with a finite number of eggs—around 1-2 million. By the time of a woman’s first period, this number dwindles to around 300,000-500,000 and continues declining.
However, it’s not just about the number of eggs. The quality of eggs also diminishes with age, particularly after age 35. This decrease in both quantity and quality can make conception more challenging as women age.
Age and ovulation
A regular, healthy menstrual cycle involves the release of a mature egg from one of the ovaries—a process known as ovulation. Age can cause subtle disruptions in this process, leading to irregular or skipped ovulation. Changes in ovulation patterns can make pinpointing your fertile window and conceiving harder.
Age-related gynecological conditions
Age also increases the likelihood of certain gynecological conditions that can indirectly affect fertility. Endometriosis, uterine fibroids, and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can all create hurdles to conception.
Additionally, systemic health issues like diabetes or high blood pressure, which can become more common with age, can also impact fertility. At Cornforth Gynecology & Medspa, we provide thorough screenings and treatments for these conditions.
Pregnancy risks and age
Age impacts not only fertility but also the course of pregnancy itself. Women over 35 are more likely to experience complications such as gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia, and chromosomal abnormalities. With age, the likelihood of miscarriage also increases.
Despite these risks, we’re committed to helping women have healthy pregnancies and deliver healthy babies. Close monitoring and comprehensive care, as our team provides, can significantly contribute to positive outcomes.
Fertility treatment options
While aging can present challenges to fertility, it’s not an insurmountable hurdle. Advancements in reproductive medicine provide various treatment options that can assist women over 35 in achieving their family planning goals.
These include hormonal treatments to stimulate egg production, intrauterine insemination (IUI), in vitro fertilization (IVF), and the use of donor eggs.
Your journey may be different than you initially envisioned, but the team at Cornforth Gynecology & Medspa is committed to helping you explore the best options for your unique circumstances.
While age is a factor in fertility, it doesn't have the final say. Get started today with a comprehensive fertility evaluation. Call or book online today. We’re ready to guide you every step of the way.