Does Fertility Decrease with Age?
Yes, fertility does decrease with age.
More Info: Fertility declines with age for both men and women. According to a study published in The Journal of Human Reproduction, women age 19-26 had the greatest probability of becoming pregnant, statistically twice as likely as the 35-39 age groups. For the men chances of becoming pregnant began to decline substantially for those over the age of 35.
The study ultimately concluded that a woman's fertility begins to decline in the late twenties with a substantial decline over age 35. For men, fertility begins to decline in their late 30's.
It's All Relative
Though advancing age does indicate that it may take longer to become pregnant, the statistics are relative to the individual. Fertility levels vary greatly between individuals and your partner's fertility and age will factor into the equation.
The study results concluded that the majority of pregnancies, regardless the age of the participants, resulted within the six-day fertile window that occurs prior to ovulation, and that the fertile window does not decline with age.
Harvard Health PublicationsInfertility, Pregnancy, and Childbirth The Family Health Guide http://www.health.harvard.edu/
Journal of Human Reproduction Changes with age in the level and duration of fertility in the menstrual cycle17.5 (2002): 1399-1403. Print.
The University of SheffieldMarriage patterns drive fertility decline www.shef.ac.uk/
"Does Fertility Decrease with Age?." Sophisticated Edge. N.p., n.d. Web. . <http://www.sophisticatededge.com/does-fertility-decrease-with-age.html>.
"Primary infertility is an extremely common problem, affecting more than one in seven (15 per cent) couples attempting their first pregnancy. Among those experiencing difficulty with conception, a male fertility problem is considered important in around 40 per cent of couples. In 15 per cent of couples it will be solely a male fertility problem and in around 25 per cent, there will be a problem in both partners"
Dr. John Dean, specialist in sexual medicine, South Devon Healthcare NHS Trust
"Childbearing within a relationship is still the norm in modern society, but at ages where fewer women have the chance to reproduce, we should expect the evolution of lower fertility."
Duncan Gillespie from the University of Sheffield's Department of Animal and Plant Sciences
Fertile Window: The period during each menstrual cycle during which sexual intercourse can result in conception.
The Journal of Human Reproduction
Ovulation: The release of a ripe egg from a woman's ovary in preparation for fertilization.
MedTerms
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