If you are considering getting pregnant after 35, it is essential to understand how aging may affect your ability to start a family later in life. While it is possible to become pregnant in your late thirties or early to mid-forties, there are several factors to consider concerning fertility and reproductive health at this age range. Discover how aging affects fertility and what you can do to improve your egg health after 40, including taking high-quality fertility supplements and focusing on overall health and wellness.
How Aging Affects Fertility
Aging affects fertility in both men and women. The human body undergoes a series of changes at the cellular level as it ages. Cells begin to divide more slowly as aging occurs. As a result, they do not perform their biological functions as efficiently as they used to. This applies to all cells in the body, including those that power the male and female reproductive systems.
- Fertility and aging in women
Women begin life with a set number of eggs in their ovaries. As they age, the number of eggs in their ovaries decreases, reducing their chances of becoming pregnant. In addition to a reduced number of eggs, the quality of eggs declines as women age. This is why the risk of chromosomal conditions, such as Down’s Syndrome, occurs at higher rates among women over 40. As women age, they also experience an increased risk of conditions that can adversely affect fertility, such as endometriosis and uterine fibroids. In women with no fertility issues, getting pregnant after 40 happens in about one in ten women per menstrual cycle. This is down from one in four women per menstrual cycle in their 20s and 30s. These numbers decrease when egg health issues occur, and infertility treatments such as IVF or egg freezing may become necessary.
- Fertility and aging in men
Men’s fertility is also affected by aging. In one study, men over 40 years old were 30% less likely to conceive with a partner than those under 30. The top reasons for age-related male fertility issues are:
- A decline in testosterone leading to poor sexual function
- Age-related medical conditions
- Decrease in semen quality
- Oligospermia (low sperm count)
- Asthenospermia (poor sperm motility)
- Obesity and lifestyle factors
When to Visit a Fertility Doctor
If you plan to become pregnant after 35, visit with your OBGYN to discuss how to get in the best health for reproduction. Even if you have not experienced fertility issues, your doctor can help you optimize your egg health with a premium DHEA supplement and implement healthy diet and lifestyle choices. If you are over 35 and are experiencing difficulty becoming pregnant, it may be time to visit a fertility doctor. Women in this age range should consult a doctor if they don’t get pregnant after 6 months of regular, unprotected intercourse.
Additionally, if you are over 40 –– or if you are over 35 and have a condition that can make it hard to get pregnant, such as endometriosis –– it is recommended that you speak with a fertility doctor for an evaluation. They can help you identify specific fertility issues and develop a plan to improve your chances of conceiving after 35.
Ways to Improve Your Egg Health
Improving your egg health and overall health can help you improve your chances of getting pregnant after 35. You can improve your egg health by maintaining a healthy lifestyle, eating nutrient-rich, whole foods and taking supplements for women’s reproductive health as recommended by your doctor.
- Healthy lifestyle
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is one of the best ways to improve your egg health. A healthy lifestyle includes:
- Abstaining from tobacco, alcohol and marijuana
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Staying active
- Taking care of your mental health
- Getting enough sleep at night
Enacting these measures can have a beneficial effect on your fertility. For instance, research shows that lack of sleep may have an adverse impact on fertility and that stress and infertility are intricately linked. Obesity in men and women is also shown to negatively impact pregnancy rates. Obtaining mental and emotional support, getting the right amount of rest and maintaining a healthy weight are all linked to higher rates of pregnancy in women who are past 35.
- Diet and nutrition
Diet and nutrition play a large part in improving cellular health and fertility as you age. Science demonstrates that eating a whole food diet can help you maintain a healthy weight and provide your body with nutrients and vitamins that are necessary for optimal functioning. This helps keep your reproductive system functioning optimally as you age, giving you a higher chance of conception. To improve your reproductive health, focus on eating foods high in omega-3 fatty acids, whole grains, Vitamin D and especially folic acid. Reduce your consumption of food that contains trans fats and added sugars. When possible, eat fresh, whole foods over processed foods. Eating healthy foods can positively impact your egg health and improve your chances of conception over 35.
- Fertility supplements
Taking the right fertility supplements can put your body in an optimal state for pregnancy. You can begin by taking a prenatal vitamin with folic acid, as folic acid can help prevent neural tube defects if you become pregnant. Consider taking supplements that contain DHEA and CoQ10/ubiquinol, as these are shown to improve chances of conception. Women saw a 28.8% pregnancy rate increase when taking a CoQ10 supplement in one study. A study on the effects of DHEA showed that women over 40 who took DHEA supplements before IVF treatment saw a 21.05% increase in pregnancy rates.
Take Care of Your Body for Optimal Fertility as You Age
Although aging adversely affects fertility, there are several ways to improve your chances of conception after 35. By taking care of your body through a healthy diet and nutrition, living an overall healthy lifestyle and taking quality fertility supplements, you can increase your chances of getting pregnant later in life.