Age Effects On Conception In Urban Couples
Age plays a significant role in fertility of urban couples most importantly because in cities there is an upcoming trend of delayed marriages and childbearing in order to cater to workplace pressures and career growth. More so urban environment, under severe pollution and lifestyle which is sedentary and hectic at the same time fertility declines in both men and women. This decline is pronounced due to natural decrease in egg and sperm quantity and quality.
Quick points
- Fertility is at its peak in 20’s to early 30’s
- Age affects both men and women
- Age is the single biggest factor affecting woman’s chance to conceive and have a healthy baby
- Fertility declines more quickly after age 35, with a sharp drop in the
- chance of natural conception. By age 40, the chance of getting pregnant in any monthly cycle is around 5%.
- At 30 a woman’s fertility begins to fall, by mid 30’s the decline accelerates
- Pregnancy complications also worsen the scenario
- Male fertility decline is more subtle, although after 45 years of age the time to pregnancy in a couple increases along with risk of abortion and child’s risk of neurodevelopmental disorders
Role of Age on Female Fertility
Best time
Fertility is at its peak in the 20s to early 30s.
Graph of fertility
Fertility begins to slowly decrease around age 30.
Rapid Decline
Fertility declines exponentially after 35, with a sharp drop in chance of natural conception. By age 40, the chance of getting pregnant in any monthly cycle is reduced to just 5%.
Risk of abnormalities
There is also a higher risk of chromosomal abnormalities in the fetus.
Miscarriages
The risk of miscarriage increases from 16% (under age 30) to 27% (at age 40).
Egg Reserves
Women are born with fixed number of eggs that declines with age. By age 30, nearly 90% of her eggs are lost, and by age 40, only about 3% are left.
Role of Age on Male Fertility
Sperm Quality Decline
Male fertility also decreases with age, with noticeable declines in semen volume, motility and morphology after age 35.
DNA Damage
Increased age is associated with greater DNA fragmentation in sperm, which can lead to higher risks of miscarriage and developmental disorders in children.
Health Conditions
Increased age in men is linked with a higher incidence of genetic mutations, autism spectrum disorders and schizophrenia in offspring.
How Urban Couples trigger Delayed Parenthood
Urbanization has contributed to a shift where people marry later, causing a rise in the number of women experiencing difficulties in getting pregnant.
Lifestyle Factors
High-stress jobs and unhealthy lifestyles (diet, lack of sleep, smoking, alcohol) common in urban settings can further exacerbate age-related infertility.
When to Seek Help
Experts recommend that women over 35 should seek professional consultation if they do not conceive after six months of trying.
Proactive steps include
- Preconception check-up
- Fertility testing
- Lifestyle optimization
- Discussing egg freezing if planning late pregnancy
Maintaining Fertility
- Maintain a healthy weight and diet.
- Regular exercise and stress management.
- Avoid alcohol and smoking, which decrease sperm quality.
Treatment options
Reproductive medicine offers for couples struggling with age-related infertility:
- Ovulation induction
- IUI (Intrauterine Insemination)
- IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) with ICSI (Intracytoplasmic sperm injection)
- Egg freezing (fertility preservation)
- Donor egg IVF
At best IVF hospital in West Delhi, treatment plans are personalized based on age, health status, and fertility goals.
Couple's age and IVF
It's a common misconception that IVF treatment can overcome the effects of age on fertility. Age also affects the chance of success with IVF. Thus for older women the chance of having a baby increases if they use eggs donated by a younger woman.
Take the First step in Early Planning in urban life
At committed IVF hospital in Delhi we understand fertility timelines which avoids difficulties later. Delay in planning for pregnancy for career, personal goals or medical reasons is seen very often. Expert guidance thus ensures safe and informed family planning.
