Age-related infertility may seem far-off, but preserving fertility is something that you should think about when you’re young, whether or not you have definite plans to have children. The age-related decline in fertility is a natural part of a woman’s life cycle that often catches both men and women by surprise.
Understanding Age-Related Infertility
As women age, the quantity and quality of their eggs decline, which can lead to difficulties in conceiving. Men also experience changes in fertility, though typically later in life. Understanding this decline is crucial in planning for future parenthood. While you might be focused on education, career, or finding the right partner, it’s important to be mindful of how age can impact your fertility.
What steps can you take for fertility preservation?
If you think that you want to have a family someday, are there steps you can take to preserve or improve your fertility in the future?
There are a number of things you can do today that may help you conceive a child when you’re ready:
1. Healthy lifestyle
Living a healthy lifestyle with a focus on diet and exercise will help keep your body in good shape for the future. Pregnancy is one of the riskiest things that women will ever do in their lives and keeping your body in shape is one way to reduce the risk and increase the chances of a successful pregnancy. Among other issues, there is an epidemic of insulin-resistance, diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity in the United States all of which have an adverse effect on fertility or pregnancy outcome.
- Diet: Focus on eating “things that grow out of the ground” or “things that eat things that grow out of the ground.” This means minimizing processed foods that are high in sugars and unhealthy fats. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains can support overall health and fertility.
- Exercise: A regular exercise routine not only keeps you physically fit but also supports mental well-being. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity each week, along with muscle-strengthening activities on two or more days a week.
2. Wait for the right partner, but not the “right time.”
We would all agree that having a child with the wrong person isn’t a good idea but once we’ve found Mr. or Mrs. Right, waiting for the perfect time increases the risk that you will:
- Need help
- Have to make compromises
- Possibly lose the opportunity all together
There’s rarely a “perfect” time to start a family. Life is messy. Once you’ve found the right person, consider moving forward with family planning to avoid potential regrets.
3. Preconception counseling
Preconception counseling can help you identify things that can affect your chances of conceiving as well as identifying potential risks of pregnancy. This enables you to prepare for and possibly improve the outcome of an important event that will change your lives forever.
4. Hormonal suppression
If you know you need or want to delay childbearing, you may want to consider hormonal suppression to decrease your risks of developing endometriosis. Endometriosis is a disease in which the cells that normally line your uterus travel to and take up residence in another part of your body as a natural consequence of menstruation. When these cells live outside of the uterus they can trigger an inflammatory response that can have negative consequences. Therapies that reduce menstrual flow also reduce the risk of endometriosis.
5. Freeze your sperm, eggs or embryos.
If you haven’t found the right partner, you can consider freezing your eggs to try to stop the biological clock. If you suffer from medical issues that could threaten your fertility, you can preserve your fertility by freezing sperm, eggs or if you have found the right partner, your embryos.
When you’re young, contraception seems like a more important concern and fertility is a natural process that we often take for granted. However, time has a habit of slipping away while we’re living and pursuing education and careers. In the United States, 15% of couples end up seeking help in their pursuit of parenthood. You can reduce that risk by understanding the issues, being proactive and talking to a fertility specialist if you have questions.