Even if parenthood isn’t on your mind right now, understanding your fertility is an important part of planning for the future. By taking steps to protect your fertility, you can keep more options open as you get older. In recent years, many women in the EU have been waiting longer to have children, with the average age for having a first child rising to 29.4 years in 20191. This trend is consistent across all EU countries.
As more people delay parenthood, it’s essential to understand how factors like age affect fertility. By staying informed and taking care of your reproductive health now, you can be better prepared for whatever the future may bring.
How Age Affects Fertility
Fertility is strongly linked to age, especially for women. At birth, women have around 2 million eggs. By the time they reach adolescence, this number drops to about 400,000. By the mid-30s, only around 25,000 eggs remain. As women get older, especially after their mid-30s, the quality and number of their eggs decline more quickly. By the time menopause arrives, only around 1,000 eggs remain, and they are not fertile.
For men, the decline in fertility is less dramatic. However, after around age 44, sperm quality may decrease, making conception harder.
Premature Menopause: A Greater Challenge
For some women, fertility declines even earlier due to premature menopause. This can make getting pregnant more difficult:
What is premature menopause?
Premature menopause affects about 1% of women under 40 and significantly reduces the chances of natural conception. It occurs when periods stop before age 40. Premature menopause can happen naturally or as a result of medical treatments.
Common Symptoms of Premature Menopause:
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Hot flashes
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Night sweats
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Vaginal dryness
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Difficulty sleeping
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Low mood or anxiety
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Memory or concentration problems
Risk Factors for Premature Menopause:
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Family history: If early menopause runs in your family, your chances are higher.
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Early menstruation: Starting periods before age 8 can increase the risk.
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Lifestyle factors: Smoking, being underweight, or never having given birth (or giving birth only once or twice) can raise your risk.
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Medical treatments: Cancer treatments like chemotherapy or radiation, hormone therapies, or surgeries that remove the ovaries can trigger early menopause.
Fertility Preservation: Options for the Future
If you’re not ready to have children yet, there are steps you can take to preserve your fertility. Thanks to modern medical advances, fertility preservation is now possible, giving you more choices when the time comes. These options can help, but it’s important to remember that they don’t always guarantee pregnancy later in life.
Planning Ahead: When to Seek Expert Advice
Age plays a key role in fertility. The number of eggs (oocytes) naturally declines over time, so understanding your egg count can give you a better idea of your fertility potential. This information can help you make more informed decisions for your future.
Steps to Take:
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Fertility testing: A blood test to measure Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) levels or an ultrasound to assess the antral follicle count (AFC) can give you insight into your ovarian reserve, or the number of eggs remaining.
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Consult specialists: A fertility specialist or healthcare provider can offer personalized advice based on your situation. Whether you’re exploring fertility preservation or dealing with premature menopause, expert guidance can help you create a plan that aligns with your future goals.
Conclusion
Whether having children is a near or distant goal, understanding your fertility is essential. Taking steps now can give you more freedom and control over your future. Start by learning about your fertility health—there’s no better time than now to take that first step.
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