Advanced age-related Infertility

Understanding Advanced-Age Related Infertility

The desire to build a family is a deeply personal journey, and for many, this path may start later in life. While it’s true that age can present challenges to conception, understanding the facts can empower you to make informed decisions and explore your options with clarity and confidence.

At its core, advanced-age related infertility refers to the natural decline in fertility that occurs for both women and men as they age, with a more significant impact typically noted for women after the age of 35.

Why Does Age Affect Fertility?

Fertility is closely tied to the health and quantity of eggs and sperm. For women, they are born with all the eggs they will ever have. As time passes, the number of eggs (the “ovarian reserve”) naturally decreases. More importantly, the quality of the remaining eggs can decline, meaning they are more likely to have chromosomal abnormalities, which can make conception more difficult, increase the risk of miscarriage, or affect the health of the child.

For men, while sperm production continues throughout life, advancing age can lead to a gradual decrease in sperm motility, volume, and morphology (shape). There is also a slightly increased risk of genetic mutations in sperm with age.

Key Factors for Women

• Declining Ovarian Reserve: The most significant factor is the reduction in the number and quality of eggs.
• Changes in Menstrual Cycle: Cycles may become less regular, and ovulation may not occur as frequently.
• Health Conditions: The likelihood of developing conditions that can impact fertility, such as endometriosis or fibroids, increases with age.
• Increased Risk of Miscarriage: Due to the higher rate of chromosomal abnormalities in eggs, the risk of miscarriage also rises with maternal age.

Taking the Next Steps: Evaluation and Options

If you are concerned about how age might be affecting your fertility, the most important step is to seek a professional evaluation. Knowledge is power, and understanding your personal fertility status can help you create a realistic plan.

A fertility specialist can conduct a simple assessment, which may include:

• For Women: Blood tests to measure hormone levels (like AMH ) and an ultrasound to count antral follicles (AFC), which help estimate ovarian reserve.
• For Men: A semen analysis to evaluate sperm health.

Your Path Forward: Treatment and Hope

Many individuals and couples in their late 30s and 40s successfully build their families. A range of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) can help.

• Fertility Medications & Timed Intercourse/IUI: Can be a first step to stimulate ovulation and increase the chances of conception.
• In Vitro Fertilization (IVF): This is often a highly effective option, as it allows for the creation of embryos in a lab setting. Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidy (PGT-A) can be used with IVF to screen embryos for chromosomal normality, which is particularly beneficial for older patients.
• Donor Eggs or Sperm: Using donor eggs or sperm can dramatically increase the chances of a successful pregnancy for those with severe age-related fertility challenges.
• Fertility Preservation: For those who are not ready to have children but are thinking about the future, egg freezing (oocyte cryopreservation) is a powerful option to preserve fertility potential at a younger age.

You Are Not Alone

Navigating age-related infertility can feel overwhelming, but it’s a journey you don’t have to take alone. Our clinic specializes in creating personalized, compassionate care plans for patients of all ages. We are here to provide you with the latest information, the most advanced technology, and the unwavering support you deserve.

Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward understanding your unique fertility journey.