When we’re growing up, we hear different stories on where babies come from. By the time we’re in High School, our health teacher typically educates on how to avoid getting pregnant but when it comes to when we genuinely want to conceive, you’d be surprised how many don’t know the basics. Particularly when you have been trying to get pregnant what feels like some time, you may wonder when it’s appropriate to consult a doctor or what are the first steps in fertility to uncover what may be causing any potential barriers to have a family. Wherever you are in your trying to conceive journey, we want to help inform you about your reproductive health and the first steps in fertility that can help you know what you need to do to have a healthy pregnancy and family!
First Steps in Fertility: How Does Age Impact Your Fertility?
In recent years, studies have shown that age can impact both men and women’s fertility. However, in the case of women, it’s more time-sensitive as she is born with approximately two million eggs that decrease in quantity and quality the older she gets. This is why if you’re a woman who is actively trying to conceive, some smart first steps in fertility is to schedule an appointment to see a reproductive endocrinologist and have a fertility assessment done to get an idea of your egg quality and quantity. According to the American Society of Reproductive Medicine, women under 30 have about a 25% chance of getting pregnant, women over 30 have a 20% chance, and by the time a woman turns 40 the chance is only 5%. This is due to the egg decline over the years as it’s estimated that most women, by their mid-twenties, may only have 300,000 eggs. Every woman is different though and the best first steps in fertility is to learn more about your own ovarian reserve.First Steps in Fertility: When to See A Doctor
In general, if the woman is under the age of 35, and the couple has been actively trying to conceive for at least one year; or if woman is over the age of 35 and the couple has been actively trying to conceive for at least six months without success, their first steps in fertility worth considering would be consulting a reproductive endocrinologist. Some other reasons you may want to consider making an appointment with a fertility specialist sooner are:- Have been diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
- Suspect or have been diagnosed with endometriosis or damage to your fallopian tubes
- You’ve been having missed or irregular periods
- Are concerned that you may not be ovulating, or you have not been able to pinpoint when you are ovulating
- Have had a history of pelvic infection, such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) pelvic pain
- Have had two or more miscarriages