For Women: Age and fertility complications
Due to modern society’s lifestyle, couples are starting their families in their mid-’30s to early ‘40s. This lifestyle has contributed to an increase in infertility. The increase in infertility also increases the risk of genetic abnormalities, miscarriage, and infertility as women are actually in their best physical condition when they are in their ‘20s. It is also best to start planning a family when a woman is still in their 20s so that energy and endurance to chase a toddler will not be a big concern.
Since female fertility peaks before age 25 and starts to decrease in the early ‘30s, miscarriage is still less likely to occur because it only occurs in 10% of women under 30.
For Men: Age and fertility complications
However, the effect of age on men's fertility is less clear. There is a small decline in sperm numbers and motility in men over 45. For most men, sperm quality usually remains within normal limits until about the age of 70. Even though it can be difficult for a productive couple, it is advised to try reducing stress by exercising more regularly combined with a healthy diet.
Cigarettes should also be avoided as it can contribute to lower sperm production or motility (ability to swim). Studies have traced chromosomal damage in sperm due to smoking and heavy alcohol intake. Sperm can also clump together due to the low levels of vitamin C and zinc. Additionally, vitamin E can affect sperm quality aside from counteracting the excess oxygen radicals. Thus, men should also take their multivitamins.
What to look out for if you want a child
If you are planning to conceive a baby, here are the things that you need to take note of:
1. Watch your weight
Excess body fat can lead to an overproduction of certain hormones that disrupt ovulation. This lead to your cycles may become less regular. You may ovulate less often, and you lower your chances of getting pregnant. However, too little body fat means your body may not produce enough hormones to ovulate each month or to sustain a pregnancy if you do conceive.
2. Commit to a healthy diet
Staying well-nourished increases your odds of conceiving. Make sure to include enough protein, iron, zinc, and vitamin C, because deficiencies in these nutrients have been linked to decrease fertility and a higher risk of early miscarriage.
3. Quit smoking
Aside from health concerns, cigarette toxins not only damage a woman's eggs, interfering with the fertilization and implantation process, but also cause the ovaries to age.
4. Know your fertile period
When you're ready to have a baby, find your "fertile window," during which you should have intercourse regularly. You can try an ovulation test kit, which checks for certain hormones in your urine or note daily changes in your basal body temperature and cervical mucus.
5. Reduce Stress
Learning to manage stress through relaxation techniques (such as mindfulness meditation or yoga) or support from counselling.
6. Avoid alcohol and reduce caffeine intake
Alcohol consumption decreases the ability to get pregnant (not to mention the harm it can cause to a developing fetus). Alcohol alters oestrogen levels, which may interfere with egg implantation. Cutting back on caffeine while you try to conceive and during your pregnancy is encouraged. Women who drink the equivalent of two cups of coffee per day are twice as likely to miscarry as those who didn't consume any.
7. Frequent intercourse
During your fertile period, you should try to have intercourse on alternate days. It is also advisable to have intercourse at least twice a week.
8. Don’t douche (shower)
Try not to douche immediately after intercourse as this may wash away some of the sperm that may be still in the vagina. Give yourself at least 20-30 minutes before cleaning yourself to give the healthy sperm time to swim into the uterine cavity. Douching can wipe out normal, protective bacteria in the vagina, shifting the balance and putting you at risk for bacterial vaginosis, a common but often overlooked vaginal infection. A fishy odour and greyish discharge are often the only signs. Untreated vaginal infections have been linked to preterm labour and may be associated with a higher risk of miscarriage and infertility
