The Effects of Aging on Female Reproductive Capabilities
Female Biological Clock
The biological clock concept for women exists because it represents a fundamental truth about their reproductive system. The natural process of female fertility starts to decrease when women reach their early thirties. The ability to conceive becomes more challenging after women turn 35 because their fertility levels decrease rapidly. The number of eggs inside a woman’s ovaries decreases with age while the remaining eggs become less viable. The medical community advises women to plan their pregnancies during their younger years because it helps minimize potential complications.
Egg Quality and Quantity
A woman’s body contains a limited number of eggs which she will never gain back. A woman enters puberty with her complete egg supply which decreases throughout her life span. The
quality of eggs deteriorates after age 30 which makes it more challenging for women to become pregnant. Many women choose to freeze their eggs as a method to protect their fertility while postponing motherhood. The success rate of egg freezing depends on the age of the eggs at the time of freezing because younger eggs produce better results.
Increased Risk of Miscarriage
Women face a higher risk of miscarriage when they reach advanced ages. The older age of eggs leads to higher probabilities of chromosomal defects which cause pregnancy termination. Women who reach age 35 face a substantially elevated risk of miscarriage compared to women in their younger years. The understanding of age-related risks should not prevent conception but patients need to seek guidance from fertility specialists because of these risks.
