The condition of infertility is defined as the inability to conceive even after having unprotected intercourse for more than a year. The issue of infertility can be caused by numerous factors like infections in the reproductive system, PCOS, hormonal imbalances and lifestyle. Other than these factors, age is one of the significant determinants that leads to infertility as the natural aging process impacts both men and women. Individuals experience changes in hormones and reproductive health after a certain age, which impacts their fertility. Many researchers have also agreed that age plays a crucial role in conceiving. You can know how age impacts the fertility of females and males through this blog.
How Does Age Impact Fertility In Women?
Women’s fertility is more closely related to age than men’s. The anatomy of a female body defines a female born with a finite number of eggs. The age impacts the quantity and quality of eggs as women reach their mid-30s. The golden age when women’s reproductive system is at its best is between the 20s and 30s. After 30 years of age, the quality of eggs starts diminishing, and chances of conceiving naturally also get reduced.
The low number of eggs after fertility also causes hormonal imbalances in a female’s body. As women reach closer to menopause, their bodies go through a lot of hormonal changes, which also impact fertility. As females age, the quality of eggs also starts diminishing, and eggs are more likely to have chromosomal abnormalities, which can increase the chances of miscarriage and Down syndrome in the child. After menopause, women are likely to develop changes in vaginal health and sexuality due to low levels of estrogen in their bodies.
How Does Age Impact Fertility In Men?
It is a misconception that male fertility is not affected by age. The production of sperm continues in men throughout their lives, but the sperm count and quality of sperm diminishes as men age. Men experience less abrupt infertility issues than women. The sperm count in men is affected by a declining level of testosterone. It can also impact the libido and erectile function in men.
As men’s age, it is more likely that men produce sperm with DNA damage. There are some medications that adversely affect the sperm quality and functioning of the sperm. Also smoking can also affect the reproductive health of men and results in significantly low sperm count. In research, it is found that children who have older fathers are at a risk of developing autism and schizophrenia.
How Does IVF Help In Conceiving At An Older Age?
The advancements in medicines have guided a large number of solutions for infertility in women. Technologies like ART (assisted reproductive technologies) have offered procedures like IVF (in-vitro fertilization), which increase the chances of conceiving in women. Procedures like donor eggs, freezing eggs or oocyte cryopreservation have made it easier for women to conceive with their own eggs. With the advanced technique of egg freezing, women can preserve their quality eggs at a young age to have a smoother pregnancy later.
The advanced technologies also have solutions for men with low sperm counts. There are medications and treatments that can improve the reproductive health of men. Techniques like intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) are used to restore the quantity and quality of sperm in men. So, with advanced procedures under IVF, couples can now conceive at the right time.
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Conclusion
It is crucial to understand the link of age with fertility as it helps them in making informed decisions on time. Career-oriented women can go for procedures like egg freezing at a young age and can worry-free conceive later in future. Men can maintain a healthy lifestyle or quit smoking, which helps them keep their sperm quality intact for a long time. Understanding risk factors like age and options guided by assisted reproductive technologies is helping to conceive couples at older ages. To learn more about the factors that affect fertility, you can contact our experienced gynecologist at our fertility centre.
