Age-Related Fertility Myths Debunked

“Don’t delay pregnancy.” “Your biological clock is ticking.” “Older women can’t get pregnant.” “A man’s age does not matter.”

When it comes to fertility and pregnancy, there are many myths from various parts of the world and cultures. Now, what are they, and are they true? We cannot cover all such myths here, but we will try to cover some of the most commonly believed myths.

Reasons for Myths About Fertility

‍

So, why do we hear so many myths about fertility, especially in relation to one’s age?

A person’s fertility peaks after their teenage years and declines as they get older. This applies to both men and women. To ensure couples didn’t delay trying for a pregnancy or individuals didn’t delay getting married or planning for a family, elders from different cultures keep reminding them about the biological clock ticking away. Over time, as stories and theories get passed on to the next generation, a few details are added or changed, resulting in myths that are quite close to the facts.

Do these myths hold any water? Should men and women plan their pregnancy and future based on these myths, or should they pay no heed to them? While some myths are completely baseless, some are closely related to the facts and so cannot be ignored completely.

Myths About Fertility

Here are some common myths about fertility in relation to one’s age. Let’s look at myths related to both men and women.

Myth – Women over 40 can’t get pregnant

Fact – A woman’s fertility declines with age. It declines sharply after 35, and conception is difficult for women over 40, but it is definitely possible. A woman is fertile until she attains menopause, which is marked by her missing periods for 12 months in a row. When she attains menopause, it means she has no eggs left for fertilisation, and hence, natural conception is not possible. Women over 40 can get pregnant, but it may take time, multiple attempts, or even result in miscarriages; a successful pregnancy is also possible.

Myth – Men are fertile forever

Fact- It is a common belief that a man can reproduce at any age, as he can ejaculate even when he is in his 80s. However, the quality of his sperm declines once he is 40 years old, just like a woman’s egg quality decreases. Though he will ejaculate semen with viable sperm, the sperm may not be healthy enough to result in a successful pregnancy. The DNA damage and fragmentation in the sperm caused by age can lead to miscarriages, delay in conception and even chromosomal issues with the baby.

Myth – Women who conceive after 35 years of age will have a miscarriage

Fact – A female’s fertility declines sharply once she turns 35 years old. Her egg quality and quantity will decline, making pregnancy difficult. She may take time to conceive, and the risk of a miscarriage is higher when compared to women in their 20s. However, not all women conceiving after the age of 35 have a miscarriage. Many women have successful pregnancies and deliver healthy babies even at 40.

Myth – Men with fertility issues are very rare

Fact – In many parts of the world and many cultures, the woman was always held responsible for pregnancy. If she could not conceive or deliver a healthy baby, she was held completely. In reality, fertility issues affect both men and women. Women face more fertility issues like PCOS, hormonal imbalance, irregular periods, etc. For men, unless they take a fertility test, it is very difficult to diagnose a fertility issue, and no one takes a test until they are unable to impregnate their partner.

Myth – Pregnancy complications cannot be reduced

Fact – If you are planning for pregnancy, cutting back on habits like alcohol, smoking, or usage of other substances, following a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and effective weight management can reduce the risks of pregnancy complications to a great extent.

Myth – A woman’s ability to conceive despite her age is genetically determined.

Fact – A woman’s ability to conceive is determined by her egg reserve and overall health condition. As a woman ages, her egg reserve decreases. Different women attain menopause at different ages, and this marks the end of their fertile period. Genetics does play a role in influencing her egg reserve and the rate of depletion during her menstruation years. However, a woman’s age, health, medical issues, if any, lifestyle, and exposure influence her egg reserve and quality in addition to genetics.

Myth – Age is immaterial for freezing eggs

Fact – A woman’s egg quantity and quality decrease as she gets older. For best results, it is advisable to freeze eggs or embryos when the woman is at her peak fertility. The older she gets, the number and quality of the eggs extracted for freezing will decline sharply.

Myth – The only fertility issue with men is erectile dysfunction

Fact – Men struggle with different fertility issues just like women. In addition to erectile dysfunction, men can have difficulty staying erect long enough to ejaculate, may not be able to ejaculate fully, semen ejaculated can be too little, sperm concentration in ejaculated semen can be very little, and some men can even struggle with hormonal imbalances.

Myth – Emotional health does not affect fertility

Fact – Many people believe that if a person is physically healthy and eats well, they will have no issues with pregnancy. However, a person’s mental state can deeply impact their fertility and pregnancy outcome. Depression, anxiety, anger issues, etc., can all play havoc with one’s hormones and libido, leading to fertility issues despite a healthy diet and lifestyle.

Myth – Fertility treatments are only for older couples

Fact – Young and old couples can suffer from fertility-related issues that can delay pregnancy. Even very young and healthy individuals and couples may need and can benefit from assisted reproductive techniques like IUI, IVF, etc.

Myth – IVF will work for all ages and issues.

Fact – IVF is an assisted reproductive technique that can help increase the chances of pregnancy. If the sperm or egg health is poor, and the resulting embryo is not healthy, IVF cannot lead to a successful pregnancy. IVF cannot help if the woman’s uterine health is poor, if she suffers from other health complications, or is too old for pregnancy.

Myth - Egg freezing is only for older women.

Fact – The egg’s health declines with age. Women in their early 30s or late 30s will have better outcomes from using frozen eggs in the future, when compared to women freezing their eggs in their late 30s. Freezing eggs does not guarantee a successful pregnancy, as not all eggs survive the freezing and thawing process. The egg’s health is more important than maternal age for successful egg freezing outcomes.

Book an online appointment with Dr. Divya Sardana for Pregnancy & Gynecology related issues.

Conclusion

Myths are common in almost every corner of the world, in all aspects. It is always advisable to clarify your doubts and follow the advice of your gynaecologist. While some myths do have a remote connection to the facts, never go by the myth. Always do your research and seek professional help if you are struggling with fertility issues. With advanced science and technology, fertility medicine has broken many myths and barriers.

Want to consult the best gynecologists in India? Please find the links below.‍‍‍

Want to consult the best Maternity Packages in India? Please find the links below.

‍

Get the right solution today

Thank you! Your submission has been received!

Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Maternity

Gynaecology

Fertility

Neonatal Care

Paediatric Care

NICU

PICU

Radiology

Physiotherapy

Nutrition and Dietetics

Breastfeeding Support

Allied Services

Stem Cell Banking

Bengaluru

Chandigarh

Chennai

Faridabad

Ghaziabad

Gurugram

Hyderabad

Jalandhar

Lucknow

Ludhiana

Mumbai

New Delhi

Noida

Panchkula

Pune

Placenta – The Tree of Life

Endometriosis and Infertility - Symptoms, Effects, Treatments.

The Cysterhood - How PCOS Affects Your Body

Recent Articles

Vaginal Discharge After Sex: Normal or Concerning?

Signs That Might Indicate Fetal Growth Restriction

Preparing for Laparoscopic Surgery: Do’s and Don’ts

Frequently Asked Questions

Is pregnancy over 35 always high risk?

Pregnancy over the maternal age of 35 does carry more risk than getting pregnant in her 20s. However, it is not always high risk. Many women in their late 30s have successful natural pregnancies without any medical interventions or complications. Close monitoring will help identify potential issues at the earliest.

Is egg freezing only for people over 35?

No, women of any age can choose to freeze their eggs. Egg freezing allows women to postpone pregnancy without having to worry about their biological clock ticking. Women undergoing surgeries or treatments that can affect their reproductive system or fertility can choose to freeze their eggs anytime. Freezing eggs in the late 20s or early 30s has a better outcome as the eggs are healthier than when the woman is in her late 30s.

Do men remain fertile forever?

No, men can ejaculate even when they are much older and produce semen, but the sperm quality declines with age. Older men’s sperm tend to have DNA fragmentation and poor health that can cause delay or complications in pregnancy. It can even lead to chromosomal issues in the baby.

Is IVF guaranteed to work regardless of age?

NO, IVF can work only for couples struggling with certain fertility issues. In the case of advanced maternal age, poor uterine health, or other health complications in the mother, IVF cannot guarantee a successful pregnancy. If the male partner’s sperm health is very poor or if he has no viable sperm, the couple will need to use a sperm donor, even if they go for IVF.