Short answer: The number and quality of eggs change with age, which affects the chance of becoming pregnant and the risk of miscarriage. The change is gradual, with large individual variations. No birthday constitutes a sharp boundary, but age is important when planning investigation and treatment.
Quantity and quality
Two things change with age: the number of eggs (egg reserve) decreases, and the quality of the eggs deteriorates. Women are born with all their eggs, and the number decreases gradually throughout life. At the same time, the proportion of eggs with chromosomal abnormalities increases, which makes it harder to achieve a healthy pregnancy.
What does research say?
Fertility declines with increasing age, and the decline becomes clearer during the later part of the 30s. Statistics describe groups, not exactly what applies to an individual. In IVF with own eggs, age is also important; with frozen eggs, the age at freezing is central.
What can you do?
Age cannot be influenced, but knowledge allows for planning. When wanting to become pregnant at an older age, it can be wise not to wait too long to seek help if it doesn't happen. A healthy lifestyle supports general reproductive health, and for those who want to, there is the option to talk to a clinic about, for example, egg freezing.
This article is general information and does not constitute medical advice. Your situation is individual – talk to healthcare providers if you have questions.
Sources
- American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Female age-related fertility decline. Fertility and Sterility.