At birth, every woman has all the eggs present in the ovary that will be released after puberty and the number is around 10 lakh. In researches it is found that half of them are lost before puberty and after menstruation starts around 1000 eggs are lost every month and only one egg matures and is released from ovary during ovulation.
DOES QUALITY OF EGGS DECREASE WITH AGE?
The quality and quantity of eggs decrease over the time. This makes age the most significant aspect of woman’s fertility. Maintaining good physical health can increase chances of fertility, quality of egg and baby’s health as well but it cannot override the effects of ageing on woman’s fertility.
AT WHAT AGE DOES FULL FERTILITY OCCUR?
Full fertility occurs from 20 years of age.
AT WHAT AGE DOES FERTILITY SIGNIFICANTLY DECLINE?
The best time to get pregnant is from 20 to 30 years of age, because in mid 20s there is a good chance of 25-30%. Then gradually a decline starts in the 30s and begins to decline faster after mid-30s. The chances of getting pregnant are reduced up to 5% by the woman attains age 40.
DOES QUALITY OF EGGS DECREASE WITH AGE?
Egg quality deteriorates with age, due to unavoidable reasons like health, lifestyle and environmental conditions. Pollutants in the air, diseases, free radicals etc. can contribute in damaged DNA inside the eggs resulting in genetic problems as the woman ages. Genetically abnormal eggs can cause infertility, miscarriage of baby with genetic disorders.
CAN AGE CAUSE GENETICALLY ABNORMAL PREGNANCY?
In later years, even if the pregnancy is achieved there is high risk of miscarriage or other genetic abnormality like Down syndrome. These statistics range from 0.2% in 20s and 5% in 40s.
The best way to tackle this risk is to freeze eggs in early 20s to 30s to attain a healthy pregnancy and baby at later age.
DOES PREGNANCY COMPLICATION INCREASE WITH AGE?
Yes, the complications are proportionate to age. More the age higher is the risk of miscarriage and chromosomal abnormalities in the baby. These risks increase from age 35. Problems like Gestational diabetes, C-section and still birth are more in later years than younger age.
Polycystic Ovaries and Endometriosis also affect the fertility of a woman.
DO WOMEN’S AGE AND IVF ARE CORRELATED?
Yes, Women’s age and IVF are correlated. The chances of successful IVF treatment diminish as the age increases. Having a live birth from a complete IVF cycle is:
Chances of pregnancy using the eggs of current times are lower than using frozen eggs of her own in early 30s or donor eggs.
Source:
Wallace W, Kelsey T. Human Ovarian Reserve from Conception to the Menopause. PLoS ONE 2010; 5(1).
American Society for Reproductive Medicine
Department of Health, State Government of Victoria, Australia
Also Read: First 3 Things To Do After Getting Pregnant
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