fertility
Age matters
Though women are increasingly having babies later in life( The Odyssey actress Anne Hathaway is expecting her third child at 43), age still plays an important role in fertility and pregnancy outcomes.
“ Fertility naturally declines with age because both the number and genetic quality of eggs decrease. This decline accelerates after 35 and becomes more pronounced after 40,” says Dr October.
For women under 35, most doctors recommend trying for about a year before seeking fertility treatment. Between 35 and 39, it’ s advisable to check in with a doctor after six months of trying. At 40 and over, medical advice should be sought after three months of trying, or even right from the start.
Miscarriage rates and the risk of genetic abnormalities also rise with age.“ This is why the recommended waiting times before seeking medical advice shorten as maternal age increases,” adds Dr October.
Irregular menstrual cycles are another significant warning sign, though not every irregularity signals a problem.
Menstrual cycle variations
Irregular menstrual cycles are another significant warning sign, though not every irregularity signals a problem.“ Normal cycle lengths can be between 21 and 35 days, and a cycle may vary by a few days from month to month,” says Dr October. Stress, illness, weight changes, travel, or intense exercise can all cause shifts without necessarily indicating infertility.
Cycles that are consistently shorter, longer, unpredictable, or absent altogether may point to ovulation problems. Conditions such as polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome( formerly known as PCOS), thyroid disorders, or endometriosis can interfere with regular ovulation and make conception more difficult.
Dr October notes that PMOS can cause missed periods, acne, and facial hair.“ Thyroid disease can be underactive or overactive, leading to weight changes, bowel changes, sensitivity to cold or heat, and even anxiety with palpitations. Endometriosis is a physical disease on and around the uterus that causes painful periods and can result in tube damage.”
Women who experience very heavy bleeding, extremely painful periods, or bleeding between periods should also seek medical evaluation, as these symptoms may indicate conditions such as endometriosis or uterine abnormalities.
Repeated miscarriages
Though a miscarriage isn’ t always a sign of fertility problems, they’ re quite common, occurring in 10 – 20 % of pregnancies.( The true number may be higher, as some miscarriages happen before a person knows they are pregnant.) Dr October explains that if you experience two or more consecutive miscarriages( especially in early pregnancy, under 13 weeks) or three or more miscarriages even if not consecutive, it could point to an underlying fertility problem.
NB. Seeking specialist care can help identify the cause and guide appropriate treatment. www. babysandbeyond. co. za
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