When Does Fertility Dip in Women?

If you’re a woman who expects to one day have a child (or more children than you already do), you’ll eventually hear a remark similar to this one:  “Your clock is ticking!  Better start soon!”

It’s something every female takes as a certainty – that one day her fertility will be gone.  But when exactly does that happen?

The facts and figures on this aspect of fertility can be confusing at best, but below is a good guideline:

-          Barring any reasons that fertility may have been compromised, most women under 30 are at their highest points of fertility.  (This doesn’t mean they can’t experience infertility, of course.  It simply means that their bodies are best suited to conceive children during those years.)

-          After the age of 30, changes in women’s bodies begin to happen.  They may be slow, they may be rapid… it all depends upon the female and the perspective.  In general, though, the likelihood of infertility in a woman between the ages of 30 and 34 is about 60% higher than when she’s 25-29.

-          By age 35 (often considered a “magic number” by women who are concerned about diminishing fertility), a female will have about a 15% chance of dealing with infertility.  And with each passing year until around 40, that chance grows to between 32-36%.

-          After 40, a woman’s body begins to enter perimenopause and her fertility lessens quickly.  By 45, only about 5% of women can become pregnant without heading to fertility clinics like RSI (one of the premiere fertility clinics in the Philadelphia region.)  And by 50, it’s almost impossible for any woman to become pregnant on her own.

Of course, every situation is unique.  And that’s why it’s critical to talk to a reproductive health specialist if you are concerned about your fertility. 

In the end, whether you’re 25 or 45, there’s no reason not to consult a fertility specialist if you and your partner can’t seem to have children.

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Infertility Doesn’t Have to End a Marriage

Without a doubt, infertility can cause serious stress on a marriage.  But it doesn’t have to end in a divorce.

Unfortunately, many couples do find themselves splitting up because of their inability to conceive children naturally.  However, if you want to make sure that doesn’t happen with you and your partner, you need to follow some simple rules:

1. Don’t keep your emotions hidden from one another.  Holding back can lead to resentment, anger and depression.
2. If you need something from your partner that you’re not getting, ASK.  Most people cannot intuitively determine what another individual needs.
3. Attending marriage or couples counseling is not indicative of “failure”.  In fact, it can give you a forum during which to air your concerns in an objective, nonjudgmental manner.
4. Make sure you’re on the same page when it comes to discussing infertility with third parties.  For instance, if you want to remain private about your fertility treatments, your partner should honor that request and not discuss your infertility issues with just anyone.
5. Make time to spend with each other doing non-child activities.  Don’t forget that you have every right to enjoy each other as adults!  The fact that you’re experiencing infertility doesn’t mean it has to become the center of your lives.

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Quiz: How Much Do You Know about Infertility?

Think you know all there is to know about infertility?  Then we’re here to challenge you with this fast quiz!  Answers are at the end.

1.  In most cases, it is the man who is infertile, not the woman.

1. True
2. False

2.  It is estimated that how many millions of American couples suffer from infertility?

1. 7
2. 9
3. 11
4. 15

3.  What percentage of men around the globe are considered “sub-fertile”, meaning they are not entirely infertile but are more than likely not to be able to fertilize an ova?

1. 10 percent
2. 30 percent
3. 50 percent
4. 75 percent

4.  Between her early 30s and early 40s, a woman’s fertility rate may be reduced by up to how much?

1. 100 percent
2. 80 percent
3. 60 percent
4. 40 percent

5.  Stress may be a contributing factor of infertility in as many as how many cases?

1. 1 in 5
2. 1 in 8
3. 1 in 10
4. 1 in 20

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ANSWERS:

1. False.  There’s usually a 50-50 chance it could be either partner.
2. (c). 
3. (b).
4. (b).
5. (a).