As you grow older, natural biological changes to your reproductive system may affect your ability to conceive and carry pregnancies successfully. Understanding the symptoms and risks associated with these changes can help you take better care of your reproductive system. Here are ways age impacts your reproductive health and fertility:
Ovarian Reserves and Quality
You are born with all your eggs, which reduce in number over time due to a natural process called atresia, where you lose eggs regardless of ovulation. Your reproductive potential is highest during your earlier years when you have many good-quality eggs. After the age of 35, the number and quality of eggs decline rapidly, which impacts fertility and increases the risk of complications during pregnancy. Chromosomal abnormalities due to the decline in egg quality increase the risk of miscarriage and also cause genetic conditions in babies born to older women.
Age-Related Physiological Changes
Age-related changes in your reproductive system mainly occur due to fluctuations in your estrogen and progesterone levels. As hormone levels decline, your vaginal walls may become dry and less elastic. Your gynecologist may prescribe a vaginal moisturizer to prevent irritation due to vaginal dryness. Chances of implantation failure become greater whenever changes occur in your cervix or uterus, including reduced endometrium or the formation of fibroids. You may also experience reproductive health changes like an increased risk of vaginal yeast infections.
Perimenopause, which marks the transition to menopause, occurs a few years before menopause, typically in a woman’s mid-40s. During perimenopause, you may experience frequent periods at first, then later start having missed or irregular periods. Changes in the amount of menstrual flow and length of your period are other symptoms of perimenopause. With irregular periods, it is harder to predict ovulation, thus it might take you longer to conceive naturally. Some women also experience anovulation, which lowers potential natural conception and may require medical intervention.
Pregnancy Complications
As you age, immunity becomes weaker, increasing the likelihood of serious conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes. With low immunity, these conditions can worsen, leading to more severe complications like preeclampsia and gestational diabetes. The low quality of the eggs during old age affects fertilization, increasing the risks of birth defects in newborn babies.
During pregnancy, there may be changes in chromosomes, which may lead to fetal growth problems and possible miscarriages. The best way to avoid these complications and potential life threats like death is by getting early genetic testing. Fertility specialists conduct this testing to identify potential congenital defects that a fetus may have. By this, a fertility doctor can advise you on the best practices and medical resources to help prevent possible problems.
Solutions for Age-Related Reproductive Issues
Advanced tests that check for the BCL6 gene biomarker help diagnose inflammatory conditions that are common as you grow older. Early diagnosis helps you get preventive treatment, preventing potential fertility challenges. Your doctor may also recommend lifestyle changes to keep your reproductive system in good condition. If you’re not to have a baby, you can preserve high-quality eggs during your peak reproductive years by freezing them. You can thaw these eggs later and have a baby through assisted reproductive technologies (ART). Hormonal treatments that stimulate ovulation can improve the chances of conception in women experiencing age-related ovulatory disorders.
Improve Your Reproductive Health Outcomes
Knowing what changes to expect as you grow older can help you manage your reproductive health better. If you are an older woman, lifestyle choices like maintaining a healthy weight, regular exercise, and a balanced diet can keep your reproductive system healthy as you age. It also helps to schedule regular checkups with your gynecologist for early detection of age-related conditions like hormonal imbalances, anovulation, and vaginal dryness. Get tests that look for gene biomarkers for reproductive conditions to help you get preventative treatment for conditions like endometriosis.