Age-related Infertility

Age-Related Infertility Can Interfere with Conception; Ovation’s State-of-the-Art Treatments Can Help

We hear people talk about women’s biological clocks, and the truth is — women do have them. The clocks start ticking after puberty and seem to tick faster as women age. This explains why delaying trying to conceive for several months in your 30s may not be a big deal, while delaying for a similar time in your 40s usually is. This phenomenon is because of one simple fact: females are born with their lifetime supply of eggs — about 5 million to 7 million — and after they start menstruating, that egg supply dwindles each month. The number of eggs available is not the only issue with age-related infertility — the quality of the eggs is also important. As women age, their eggs also are aging, resulting in fewer good-quality eggs that are able to be fertilized.

Women also may begin to experience other age-related infertility problems, such as diseases that affect their fallopian tubes, endometriosis or uterine fibroids. Each of these conditions can make conception more difficult.

The American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) recommends that women 35 or older should come in for a consultation if they have been unable to conceive after six months of having unprotected sexual intercourse.  Women younger than 35 do not typically need to seek assistance until they have been trying unsuccessfully for at least 12 months. This shows how important time actually is to women who delay childbearing until their 30s.

Men also may experience age-related infertility issues

While it is true that men produce sperm throughout their lifetime, it’s also true that aging can affect sperm quality. Genetic mutations in sperm may increase as a man ages. In addition, the quantity of sperm decreases. One study in the American Journal of Gynecology indicated that a man’s ability to impregnate a woman decreased by 11% with every passing year after the age of 40.

Unlike women, age-related infertility issues may be connected to a man’s overall health. We know certain health issues coincide with age-related infertility, including: problems with erectile dysfunction (ED); problems with the bladder or kidneys; chronic health issues, such as diabetes and high-blood pressure; and psychological issues, such as depression.

Hope for those with age-related infertility

Ovation fertility specialists have a great deal of experience with age-related infertility issues in both men and women, and after conducting a thorough evaluation and making a diagnosis, they can discuss various treatment options with you. For example, women who are not ready to get pregnant right away may want to freeze their eggs. If a woman’s eggs already are not viable, she still may have other options to achieve pregnancy, such as donor eggs or embryos.

Men with age-related infertility may benefit from treatment of the underlying cause; for example, they may need treatment for high blood pressure, diabetes, or for an ongoing urological condition.

Whatever the reason for your age-related infertility, we recommend that you consult the knowledgeable Ovation team. Our mission is to help you create the family you dream of, so contact us today.