Introduction
One major worry for every woman who is considering becoming a parent is age. Ageing is inevitable yet beautiful. But our biological clocks all work in a slightly different way. Inevitably, our bodily functions slowly deteriorate with age; fertility is the same. This decline in fertility is a natural process and one that every woman will eventually experience. However, each woman is unique, with her fertility timeline specific to her health. There is no one-size-fits-all answer to the question of when a woman stops being fertile, but certain fertility statistics can provide a general guideline. In this article, we cover the connection between age and women’s fertility, age-related changes in our ovaries and eggs, fertility testing, and ways to prolong our reproductive lives.
Age and Women’s Fertility
Born with approximately one to two million potential eggs, or follicles, that number decreases each year. By age 25, a woman may have 300,000 egg cells. This number reduces quite significantly starting from about age 32, and even more quickly after age 37. By age 51, most women go through menopause, with about 1,000 immature eggs that aren’t fertile. These immature eggs will mature and be released during ovulation of each menstrual cycle. Those that aren’t released eventually die and get reabsorbed into the body.
Before menopause, most women experience a transitional period known as perimenopause, which generally occurs in a woman’s 40s and can last from 2 to 10 years. For some who face premature menopause, this could happen earlier than expected (before 40 years-old). This happens when the ovaries stop producing sufficient levels of estrogen, a hormone that is critical to fertility. Early menopause is also sometimes called premature ovarian failure and can run in families. The exact cause is still unknown but some causes include chromosome abnormalities, autoimmune diseases, or in rare cases, certain infections, such as tuberculosis, malaria, and mumps. If you experience any perimenopause symptoms, such as hot flushes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, low mood or anxiety, reduced libido, irregular sleep patterns, and brain fog, speak to a doctor and get evaluated.
On the right is a graph from the British Fertility Society that compares male and female fertility rate by age:
The decline in fertility isn’t only age-related, there is also an increasing incidence of disorders that may impair fertility, cause higher risk of pregnancy loss, as well as higher risk for the newborn baby. At Sow Fertility, we believe in comprehensive fertility education for all women, no matter their age.
Age-Related Changes in Ovaries and Eggs
We know that with age, our ovarian reserves diminish. But apparently, our egg quality also slowly declines with age. The common number quoted is 35 as is confirmed by studies in Western Medicine and in line with the teachings of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Around the age of 35, there is a noticeable decline in egg quantity and quality, which leads to decreased fertility. In fact, a recent study by Steiner et al. (2017) strongly suggests that the overlooked factor of egg quality, not quantity, may be the prime factor in age-related decline in fertility.
One major contributor to decreased quality is having the incorrect number of chromosomes during the egg maturation and cell division process. Scientists have attributed this to possible anomalies with proteins in the egg cells responsible for cell division. The frequency of this issue sharply increases after the age of 35 years.
Another issue could be increased DNA damage of the mitochondria, the powerhouse of a cell. By 40 years old, studies have found that about 50-70% of mature egg cells have chromosomal abnormalities, which negatively affects implantation.
Prolonging Our Reproductive Lives
At Sow Fertility, we work with fertility specialists and Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners to understand how best to regulate and support women’s menstrual health. Therapies like acupuncture and herbal medicines could greatly improve overall health and blood circulation to the reproductive organs.
Other factors, such as a balanced diet, plenty of physical activity, restful sleep, stress reduction, and healthy lifestyle choices, can also positively influence fertility.
What Sow Fertility Can Do For You
It’s clear that understanding the realities of your fertility and your own body’s rhythms are an essential part of reproductive health. The journey can be lonely, the process long and convoluted, and not all healthcare professionals will take the time to explain every step of the way.
At Sow Fertility, we aim to provide relevant information and support to guide women through their fertility journey, debunking myths on the topic of fertility preservation.
We are dedicated to making seemingly complicated information about fertility comprehensible to enable you to make informed decisions about your reproductive timeline. We can also help you access comprehensive tests and suitable solutions and therapies with our extensive network of fertility professionals. We are committed to ensuring that you feel confident and equipped in your fertility planning.
Citations:
[1] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24559617/
[2] https://www.britishfertilitysociety.org.uk/fei/at-what-age-does-fertility-begin-to-decrease/
[3] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27098490/
[4] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36913129/
[5] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5842846/
[6] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5744252/
[7] https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/anti-mullerian-hormone-test/
[8] https://www.webmd.com/infertility-and-reproduction/male-fertility-tests
