Contraception helps in women's empowerment, as it lets them continue their education, build a career, become financially independent, and implement family planning according to their goals in life.

However, it is crucial to have a clear timeframe to achieve those goals because fertility is not constant throughout your life. Fertility peaks at a certain age and gradually goes down until eventually, you reach menopause.

Age is one of the most significant factors that determine female fertility. Your age influences the chances of conception and pregnancy outcomes. So, family planning and preparing for pregnancy require understanding how female fertility changes with age and ensuring you plan pregnancy at the right time.

How Age Affects Female Fertility

Numerous biological changes occur in the ovaries with age, causing a decline in fertility. The two main reasons for the age-related decline in fertility are egg quality and quantity.

Egg Quality

The quality of the egg diminishes with age. The egg acts as the carrier of genetic material. As the age increases, the chances of chromosomal abnormalities go up, leading to:

• Higher risk of miscarriage.
• Genetic disorders and birth defects, such as Down syndrome.
• Reduced ability of the embryo to implant in the uterus, making conception difficult.

Egg Quantity (Ovarian Reserve)

Women are born with a finite number of eggs, typically around one to two million. By puberty, only about 300,000 to 400,000 eggs remain. As you age, the number of eggs depletes, reducing fertility potential.

Since new eggs cannot be produced, the reduced number of eggs impacts ovulation and conception chances.

Fertility at Different Ages

Deciding the Right Age to Get Pregnant

Planning pregnancy at the right age is essential, but if you need to postpone, you should be aware of fertility changes and associated risks.

Reasons Women Postpone Pregnancy

• Health Considerations: Conditions such as PCOS, endometriosis, diabetes, or high blood pressure may require delaying pregnancy until health improves.
• Career and Personal Goals: Education, career-building, financial stability, and emotional preparedness often lead to delayed pregnancy.

Preserving Fertility with Contraception

If postponing pregnancy, it is crucial to choose an easily reversible contraception that does not affect fertility. Hormonal contraceptives may take time to restore hormonal balance after discontinuation.

Saheli Plus: A Reversible, Non-Hormonal Contraceptive

Saheli Plus is the world’s only non-steroidal oral contraceptive pill, free from side effects. Approved by DCGI and included in India’s National Family Welfare Programme, it is a trusted contraceptive for preserving fertility.

• Non-Hormonal: Unlike OCPs, Saheli Plus does not interfere with hormonal balance.
• Reversible: Women can stop taking Saheli and conceive without experiencing hormonal withdrawal effects.
• No Side Effects: Unlike other OCPs, Saheli Plus does not cause weight gain, mood swings, or long-term fertility suppression.

Final Thoughts

Age is a crucial factor in female fertility, with natural conception becoming more challenging after 35. However, informed choices about contraception can help preserve reproductive health. Non-hormonal options like Saheli Plus allow women to delay pregnancy without disrupting natural fertility.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is 34 too old to get pregnant?

No, 34 is not too old, but fertility starts declining. Women may take longer to conceive, and risks slightly increase, but healthy pregnancies are still common.

2. At what age are 90% of a woman's eggs gone?

By age 30, around 90% of a woman’s eggs are depleted. Fertility declines further, with a sharper drop after 35.

3. Can you improve egg quality at 40?

While age-related decline is natural, egg quality can be managed through a healthy diet, antioxidants, stress reduction, and maintaining a healthy weight.

4. What are the signs of poor egg quality?

Signs include irregular periods, low ovarian reserve (confirmed by AMH tests), failed IVF cycles, higher miscarriage rates, and chromosomal abnormalities leading to implantation failure.