Fertility
across Your Lifetime
A woman has the ability to become pregnant as
soon as she starts her menstrual cycle, which can range from age 10 through 15.
In general, her overall fertility is at its highest between her late teens and
late 20s.
Typically, fertility naturally begins to
decline during a woman’s 30s, and by age 40, the chance of conceiving drops to about
10% per cycle. It’s important to remember, however, that it’s still possible to
conceive until you are fully in menopause, which is defined as not having a
period at all over 12 consecutive months.
Fertility
across Your Cycle
Menstruation signals the start of a woman’s
monthly cycle, which can vary in length from 21 to 31 days. The average period
lasts from 3 to 7 days and is when fertility is at its lowest. While it’s
possible to conceive at nearly any point, peak fertility typically occurs
around mid-cycle, before and during ovulation.
Many women find it helpful to chart their
cycles to help them predict their periods and determine their best chance of
conceiving. You can do this on a calendar or there are apps you can download to
help.
Signs of ovulation may include:
·
mild cramping in the lower abdomen (known as mittelschmerz)
·
vaginal discharge that is wetter, clearer and
more slippery
·
a slight increase in basal body temperature
·
a higher libido (desire for sex)
If you are trying to conceive, you may find
ovulation predictor kits, available over the counter at drugstores, are helpful
in pinpointing the few days in your cycle when your fertility is highest.
Other Factors
Affecting Fertility
Every woman is different, from the length of her cycle to her overall fertility. Factors that can negatively impact fertility
include:
·
medical conditions, such as endometriosis, celiac disease, pelvic inflammatory disease and kidney disease
·
medications such as antipsychotics,
anti-epilepsy drugs, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs)
and thyroid medications
·
lifestyle factors like smoking, obesity or being
very underweight, excessive physical activity that causes periods to stop or
become irregular, drug use, poor nutrition and stress
We Can Help
Whatever your goals, we can work with you on
a personalized care plan. If pregnancy is your aim, we offer preconception
counseling to help address any concerns or questions
you have in advance. We can also help if you are trying to become pregnant
without success, including testing, exams and fertility medications. If you
want to prevent pregnancy, we can talk about birth control options to help you select one that works best for you. We’re here with
the help you need when you need it.
