Why Is It Hard to Conceive After 40?
3 Ways To Keep Healthy Fertility
There has
been a noticeable shift in societal dynamics as more women are choosing to get
pregnant after turning 40. The extraordinary advancements in women’s freedom
and equality in most developed countries are to blame for this developing
trend. These developments have given women the freedom to concentrate on their
jobs, pursue their passions, and realise their aspirations before feeling
compelled to have children in their early 20s. Dr. Anu Sadashiv, a
specialist in reproductive medicine at the Milann Fertility and Birthing
Hospital in Kumara Park, Bangalore, identifies the biological reasons that
could present difficulties for women who are 40 years old trying to get
pregnant.
Even if it
is still possible to have a safe pregnancy after the age of 40, it is crucial
to understand the biological factors that can indicate challenges at this time.
These include hormonal imbalances, irregular menstrual cycles, and a natural
decline in fertility brought on by declining egg quantity and quality, a higher
chance of chromosomal abnormalities, and other variables, such as diminishing
egg quantity and quality. According to the Centres for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC), 30% of women between the ages of 40 and 44 experience
infertility.
WHY IS IT HARD TO CONCEIVE AFTER THE
AGE OF 40?
Age-related Fertility decline:
As women become
older, their fertility naturally declines. This is as a result of a decrease in
the number of fertile eggs. Women are born with a limited amount of eggs, and
as they approach menopause, their egg supply drastically decreases, making it
harder for them to conceive.
Diminished Ovarian Reserve:
One of the major
factors contributing to lower fertility after age 40 is the shrinking ovarian
reserve. This is a reference to the fewer eggs that are still present in a
woman’s ovaries. Since a woman has a limited number of eggs when she is born,
their quantity and quality decrease with age. So fewer surviving eggs, which
are more likely to contain chromosomal defects, are produced by the time a
woman is in her forties.
Age-Related Increase in Chromosomal
Abnormalities:
As women age, chromosomal abnormalities in eggs are more likely to arise. The
most well-known chromosomal abnormality, Down syndrome, is caused by an extra
copy of chromosome 21. The likelihood of getting pregnant and giving birth to a
child with Down syndrome or another chromosomal anomaly increases noticeably
after the age of 35 and keeps increasing over time. This is one of the
challenges of trying to get pregnant after the age of 40.
3 TIPS FOR PRESERVING HEALTHY
FERTILITY
Managing Stress Levels:
Stress levels that
are too high can affect fertility. Finding healthy stress-reduction methods
might help create an environment that is more conducive to conception, such as
mindfulness exercises, regular exercise, hobbies, and asking loved ones for
help.
Consider using assisted reproductive
technologies:
After the age of 40,
couples who are having problems getting pregnant may be advised to use ART,
such as in vitro fertilisation (IVF). These techniques function by fertilising
eggs outside and inserting the resulting embryos into the uterus, avoiding some
of the problems caused by age-related fertility reduction.
Seeking Professional Assistance:
Women need to put
their reproductive health first and weigh their fertility options carefully.
Consulting with medical experts, such as fertility doctors, can yield
insightful information and tailored advice. They can provide a variety of
therapies and interventions that are customised to meet each person’s needs,
improving the chances of a successful conception.
Due to age-related fertility reductions, decreased ovarian reserve, and an increased chance of chromosomal abnormalities, getting pregnant after 40 can be more challenging. However, women who want to get pregnant after turning 40 shouldn’t give up. By understanding the factors that affect fertility and using certain approaches, it is still possible to increase the likelihood of becoming pregnant. Controlling stress, considering assisted reproductive technologies, and receiving professional guidance can all lead to a healthy pregnancy.
