Dr. Aruna Ashok MBBS, MS OG, DNB OG
- Clinical Director
Aruna Ashok | 21 Oct 2024
When you’re over 35 and trying to conceive, it can feel like there’s a lot of pressure. You might wonder if your age makes pregnancy more difficult or even impossible.
The good news is, many women over 35 do get pregnant and have healthy babies. Well, what do you think about fertility at this age? Let's break it down in simple terms.
While you may have fewer eggs, the quality of eggs themselves also declines with age. That makes conception more complicated.
Your cycle pattern may change. For others, ovulation becomes less predictable as you get older. This can make it harder to determine when precisely to try to conceive.
At this stage, your risk for chromosomal abnormalities, which might be included in your eggs, such as Down syndrome, also increases. It's this reason why your fertility chances drop after you hit the age of 35.
You do not have ovaries that produce eggs. You may even exhaust all your eggs, and you might be left with poorly formed eggs by the time you reach over 35.
Women above the age of 35 are prone to a higher risk of complications such as gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, and miscarriage.
Couples over 35 years experience many kinds of emotional stress and frustration with the failure to conceive. Society tries to place pressure on you; however, remember that you are not in isolation.
Good food has the chance of keeping you in your tip-top condition. Eat fruits, vegetables, whole grain foods, and healthy fats.
While exercise may keep you healthy overall, over-exercising can affect your reproductive health. Just make sure not to overdo it on the exercise.
Too much stress can also negatively affect your fertility. Try yoga, meditation, or even a short walk daily to keep your stress level in check.
Regular check-ups will help detect issues early so that you can take the necessary steps as early as possible.
The blood test measures the following: FSH and AMH. These can indicate the remaining ovarian reserve.
An ultrasound is used to analyze your ovaries and your uterus for anomalies. It also helps in case you still retain some eggs.
Hysterosalpingography is a test that demonstrates the inside of your uterus and fallopian tubes. This test is essential to see whether your fallopian tubes are open, which is critical before conception.
If you suspect genetic conditions, your doctors could advise you to undergo genetic screening.
If you are failing to conceive within a year, it's high time to seek help from a fertility specialist. For women above 35 years, they should seek help after 6 months of trying.
IUI (Intrauterine Insemination) or IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) may be recommended for women over age 35.
Success rates are reduced with women over the age of 35, but the truth is that fertility treatments do work. Discuss your options with your doctor and find the best path forward.
Trying to conceive can be quite an emotional roller coaster. It is okay to feel frustrated or sad. After all, mental health is as vital as physical health.
Talk to your friends and family members, or better still, a therapist. Such exposure helps you get your emotions out and easier to control stress while keeping your mental condition in check.
Keep hope on. Very many women over 35 successfully have healthy pregnancies with good care and support.
Fertility after 35 is not easy, but it's not impossible. Under the right lifestyle choices, sound medical guidance, and emotional support, you could increase your chances for a healthy pregnancy. Every woman has a unique journey. Sometimes, you just have to embrace it. Remember that you're not alone. Whether you're just beginning to think maybe it is time you both try to conceive or, worse yet, you've already begun to have problems trying to conceive, there is help. Stay informed, stay hopeful, and take it one step at a time.
