Fertility is a topic that affects many people, whether they’re planning for a family now or in the future. Understanding how fertility works and what factors influence it is key to making informed decisions about your reproductive health. Here are 10 fast facts that highlight some of the most important things to know about fertility.

1. Age Impacts Fertility for Both Men and Women

Women are born with a finite number of eggs, and fertility starts to decline significantly after age 35. By age 40, the chances of conceiving naturally drop to about 5%.

In men, sperm quality tends to decrease starting around age 40, leading to lower motility, increased DNA fragmentation, and a higher likelihood of genetic mutations in offspring. While men can technically father children into their later years, the chances of conception decrease, and the risks of pregnancy complications increase.

2. It’s Normal for Conception to Take Time

Even if you’re healthy, getting pregnant isn’t always instantaneous. For couples under 35, it can take up to a year of trying before conceiving. If you’re over 35, you should seek medical advice if conception hasn’t occurred after six months of trying. It’s important to remember that fertility is a complex process, and patience is often needed.

3. Healthy Lifestyle Choices Boost Fertility

Factors like diet, exercise, and avoiding smoking or excessive alcohol consumption all play a role in fertility. Maintaining a healthy body weight, eating a balanced diet rich in nutrients, and managing stress can all support reproductive health for both men and women.

• Diet: A nutrient-rich diet that includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats can boost fertility. Foods high in antioxidants, such as berries and leafy greens, support reproductive health, while limiting processed foods and trans fats is advised.
• Exercise: Regular, moderate exercise promotes overall health, but too much intense exercise can interfere with menstrual cycles and sperm production.
• Smoking and Alcohol: Smoking negatively impacts both egg and sperm quality, while excessive alcohol consumption can disrupt hormone levels and impair fertility.
• Stress: High levels of stress can interfere with ovulation and sperm production, so managing stress through relaxation techniques, therapy, or exercise can improve fertility.

IVFMD’s lifestyle counselors can provide a personalized plan to help you optimize your health and fertility.

4. Body Weight Affects Fertility

Being either underweight or overweight can have a significant impact on fertility. Women who are significantly underweight may experience irregular or absent periods, while women who are overweight may face hormonal imbalances that disrupt ovulation. For men, obesity can affect sperm quality and hormone levels. Maintaining a healthy body mass index (BMI) is important when trying to conceive.

5. Both Men and Women Can Contribute to Infertility

Infertility isn’t just a “woman’s issue.” About one-third of infertility cases are due to female factors, one-third to male factors, and the rest are either unexplained or a combination of both partners. Male infertility, often caused by issues like low sperm count or poor motility, can be just as common as female infertility.

It’s important for both partners to undergo fertility evaluations to identify potential issues and develop a treatment plan.

6. Male Fertility Can Be Tested Through Semen Analysis

A simple semen analysis can provide insight into male fertility by measuring sperm count, motility (movement), and morphology (shape). It’s an important test if you’ve been trying to conceive for a while without success, as male factor infertility accounts for about one third of cases.

In cases of male factor infertility, treatments such as intrauterine insemination (IUI) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) can help increase the chances of conception. ICSI involves injecting a single sperm directly into an egg, which is particularly useful in cases of low sperm count or poor sperm motility. Additionally, hormone treatments, lifestyle changes, and surgical procedures can sometimes improve male fertility.

7. Ovulation is Key to Timing Conception

For women, ovulation is the time when they are most fertile, usually occurring about 12 to 16 days before their next period. However, not every woman ovulates at the same time each cycle.

In a typical 28-day cycle, ovulation may occur around day 14, but cycles can range anywhere from 21 to 35 days, meaning ovulation can happen earlier or later. Tracking ovulation through methods like basal body temperature (BBT) charting, ovulation predictor kits (OPKs), or monitoring cervical mucus changes can help you better understand your cycle and pinpoint your most fertile days.

8. Your Fertility Window is Short

Women’s fertile window lasts for about six days per cycle—five days leading up to ovulation and the day of ovulation itself. Timing intercourse during this period significantly increases the chances of conception. Sperm can survive in the female reproductive system for up to five days, while an egg remains viable for only 12-24 hours after being released.

9. Egg Freezing Offers a Family Planning Option

Egg freezing is an increasingly popular option for women who want to preserve their fertility and delay childbearing. This procedure involves harvesting and freezing eggs at a younger age when fertility is higher, offering a chance for future pregnancy using those preserved eggs.

10. Infertility is Common, But Support is Available

Infertility affects around 1 in 6 couples, making it a common challenge for many people. Assisted reproductive technologies (ART), such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intrauterine insemination (IUI), have helped millions of people around the world conceive. These treatments are widely available and have become more successful and accessible over the years, with success rates varying depending on the individual’s age and specific health conditions.

Conclusion

Understanding these fast facts about fertility can help you make better-informed decisions about family planning and reproductive health. If you’re concerned about your fertility or have been trying to conceive without success, don’t hesitate to schedule a consultation with one of our fertility specialists for support and guidance. Remember, fertility is unique to each person, and staying informed is the first step toward achieving your goals.