Many of you may already know that the chances of getting pregnant drop sharply after the age of 35. One of the key factors in determining the chances of getting pregnant is the "egg." So, at what age does the body have the most "egg precursors"? The answer is surprisingly when you are still in your mother's womb, that is, before you are even 0 years old. As the graph shows, the number of healthy "egg precursors" peaks around 20 weeks of gestation, decreases to about one-third by the time of birth, and further decreases around the time of menarche. At the same time, the probability of a healthy egg being ovulated also decreases, which is why the chances of getting pregnant decline with age.
It's also true that there's a time limit for getting pregnant.
Just as aging increases wrinkles and age spots and reduces physical strength and metabolism, eggs also age. Unlike skin, egg aging is not related to apparent age, so complacency is not advised. Compared to when eggs were younger, the rate of miscarriage increases with age. It is important to be aware of this fact when trying to conceive.
With the fact that there is an age limit for pregnancy in mind, it's a good idea to create a fertility plan for the future. Discussing things thoroughly with your partner, such as "By what age do you want to meet your baby?" or "Should we visit a clinic at this point?", may help you avoid future regrets when planning your fertility journey.
Does a man's age also have a correlation with infertility?
While infertility is often thought of as a woman's problem, it turns out that about 48% of cases are caused by male factors. Pregnancy is a miracle that requires cooperation from both men and women. Here, let's look at pregnancy from a male perspective as well.
Women's fertility decreases as the eggs stored in their ovaries age, but men produce new sperm every day. Therefore, many people mistakenly believe that "men can get pregnant no matter how old they are!"
Research by male infertility specialists has shown that sperm quality may decline after the age of 35. While this may seem obvious, if the body that produces sperm ages, the sperm will inevitably age as well. And sperm aging is deeply connected to infertility.
Unlike women, who clearly experience a decline in fertility in their mid-40s, men tend to experience a gradual decline with age. Some cases have been reported where sperm vitality decreases from around age 35, making it difficult to achieve results even with treatment. There is also data suggesting that normal semen volume, sperm concentration, and motility decrease with age. The biggest problem, however, is the sperm's "fertilization ability." Aged sperm often show a disorder called "oxidative stress." Oxidative stress damages DNA and renders sperm abnormal. Smoking is also said to affect sperm. These are major factors that reduce a man's fertility. Considering all of this, it seems necessary to revise the misconception that "sperm are new every day."
Male infertility often has no clear symptoms, making it difficult to determine one's own type. While the causes of infertility vary, including "unknown cause," couples who marry later in life and wish to have children may benefit from starting fertility treatment early.
In recent years, late marriages have become more common, and some people are having children at an older age. However, couples who hope to have children someday should consider their age and proactively pursue fertility treatments.