10 Fertility Facts You'll Be Surprised to Know Fertility can be a mysterious or confusing topic with many misconceptions. This article will give you ten fertility facts that will surprise you.
1. Age is an important factor even if you are in good health. Age is undoubtedly an important factor in a person's fertility. Even if all other fertility factors are ideal, age is one factor that can significantly alter a person's chances of conceiving. Age is the best predictor of egg quality and reproductive capacity in women. Although normal lab results such as FSH, AMH, and estradiol levels are good predictors of whether a woman is fertile, a woman with abnormal test results can still conceive at an early age in many situations. Female fertility typically begins to decline in your late twenties and deteriorates significantly after age 35, with fertility rates continuing to decline dramatically after age 40. In comparison, a healthy 30-year-old woman has a 20% chance of conceiving. Every month by itself. At age 40, it is only 5%. While fertility treatments can be effective, after age 43, pregnancy rates are traditionally very low. Egg donation is frequently used in fertility treatments to help with fertility complications in women in their late 40s. However, the effect of age on fertility is not limited to women. A man's sperm quality can also be affected by his age. Men over 40 have fewer healthy sperm than men under 40. After 20 years, sperm count and sperm motility gradually decrease. More information on sperm quality is provided later in this article.
2. Your diet doesn't affect your fertility as much as you think.
You may have noticed articles on social media about how certain foods can help with infertility. However, there is little scientific evidence and medical research to back up these theories. That being said, some evidence suggests that vitamin D deficiency may contribute to infertility in some women. This vitamin is also essential during pregnancy, so if your vitamin D levels are low, you should consult with our IVF specialists to avoid fertility complications or increase your chances.
3. Your BMI is important. Body weight affects hormone levels in women; Being overweight or underweight can affect the production of estrogen, which your body needs to ovulate regularly. According to recent research, a body mass index (BMI) below 18 or 32 is associated with ovulation and pregnancy difficulties. A normal BMI range for a woman (18.5 to 24.9) is ideal for pregnancy. In terms of fertility, a woman needs regular ovulation and healthy estrogen levels to get pregnant. As a result, it is important to maintain a healthy BMI range throughout the pregnancy journey.
4. Sperm quality can deteriorate over time. A variety of factors can cause drastic changes in sperm count and motility in men. Some of the more common ones are age, genetic problems, various medical conditions, and heavy smoking or drinking. The standard sperm analysis considers the following parameters:
Sperm volume Total sperm count Sperm concentration Gradual motility Sperm morphology Vitality
Because each person's health and situation are unique, different methods and recommendations are given depending on the situation. For more information about these methods, contact IVF specialists to discuss your options.
5. Stress levels and lifestyle are important considerations. Studies have shown that stress negatively affects hormone levels and menstruation. Stress or emotional exhaustion while trying to conceive can cause or exacerbate complications. One of the most difficult challenges, when your periods are irregular, is not knowing when to have sex or when to conceive to increase your chances of conception and if your periods stop altogether, you may not be able to conceive at all. Fertility is also influenced by one's lifestyle. You should avoid smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke. A healthy diet and avoiding excessive alcohol consumption are also beneficial. While this is generally good advice for fertility and pregnancy, it's also important to note that cutting these things off can put additional stress on the body (you may need to stop drinking/smoking and eat a healthy diet during pregnancy).
6. Certain medical conditions can make pregnancy more difficult. Some fertility factors, such as BMI and personal lifestyle, can be controlled or changed, while others are inherited or developed with age. The following are some of the conditions that can affect fertility and cause complications that reduce the chances of pregnancy: Ovulation difficulties Fallopian tube obstruction Endometriosis
Fibroids in the uterus Inflammation of the cervix Polycystic ovarian syndrome
Although it may seem difficult, with careful planning and consultation with an IVF specialist, you can overcome these obstacles, allowing you to conceive.
7. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can affect fertility in men and women. Many STIs are thought to only affect a woman's fertility and ability to conceive. The truth is that untreated STIs can affect both men and women. Chlamydia and gonorrhea can damage a woman's fallopian tubes, making pregnancy more difficult and increasing the risk of ectopic pregnancy. Pelvic inflammatory disease is an infection caused by an STI that can damage the fallopian tubes and ovaries, both of which can lead to infertility. These STIs can damage the epididymis (where the seminiferous tubules are located) and cause DNA fragmentation in sperm in men. Both can cause significant damage and lead to infertility complications that can be irreversible if left untreated. Before beginning infertility treatment, our IVF specialists always require an infectious panel test. Related blog: A Detailed Guide to Female Infertility Related blog: A Detailed Guide to Male Infertility
8. A woman is born with unlimited eggs.
While men produce sperm throughout their lives, women are born with an unlimited supply of eggs in their ovaries. From the start of your first period, your ovaries release an egg every month, reducing your egg supply over time. Your ovarian reserve, or remaining egg supply, is an indicator of your fertility. An antral follicle count is a test your fertility doctor may perform to determine your ovarian reserve.
9. If you want to freeze your eggs, your 20s or early 30s are the best times. As mentioned earlier, women's fertility begins to decline in their thirties and declines significantly after the age of forty. Given this, the best time for a woman to freeze her eggs is in her twenties or thirties. While there are many reasons to freeze your eggs, it's better to do it sooner rather than later if you're not sure when you want to conceive or if you have factors that could affect your fertility in the future.
10. Basal temperature charting does not always predict ovulation. Your body's resting temperature is known as your basal temperature. It is often used as a predictor of when to try to conceive. When a person ovulates, their body temperature rises slightly. Accurately tracking your basal temperature is harder than you think. This is because the basal temperature does not always rise the day after ovulation. If you use a basal temperature during intercourse, you may overestimate your fertile window by a few days, reducing your chances of conceiving. Furthermore, worrying about 'perfect timing' can cause additional stress for you or your partner, which can interfere with conception.
If you have any questions about fertility, please contact our IVF specialist here.
Please note that this is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The information provided is for educational purposes only and is subject to change without notice. If you have any questions about a medical condition, talk to your doctor directly.