Fertility doesn’t disappear overnight, but it does change over time. And although this is a biological reality known in medicine for decades, in everyday life it’s not always discussed clearly in terms of what it means. Many people grow up with the idea that as long as there is good health and regular cycles, pregnancy will happen whenever they decide. However, age directly affects fertility, even when there are no obvious symptoms.
Talking about age and fertility is not about definitive limits, but about information. It’s about understanding how the body works, what changes over the years, and why knowing that information early can make a real difference in reproductive decisions. It’s not about rushing paths, but about walking them with greater clarity.
This note aims to explain how age influences female and male fertility, why time does matter from a biological standpoint, and how informing yourself can help you make more conscious decisions about your reproductive future.
Fertility and Age: A Natural Relationship, Not a Modern Problem
The relationship between age and fertility is not a new phenomenon. What is relatively recent is the shift in how people live out their life plans. Today, many important decisions—education, professional development, financial stability, personal projects—are delayed or prioritized before thinking about having a baby.
This change is not negative or wrong. It is a social reality. The challenge appears when the pace of life does not always match the body’s biological pace. Reproductive biology has its own timelines, and knowing them does not mean giving anything up, but understanding the context in which decisions are made.
How Does Age Influence Female Fertility?
From birth, women have a finite number of eggs. Unlike other processes in the body, new eggs are not produced over time. Over the years, not only does the available quantity decrease, but so does their quality.
Changes in the Number of Eggs
Ovarian reserve—that is, the number of eggs available—decreases progressively with age. This decline accelerates especially after age 35, although the pace can vary from one woman to another.
What’s important is to understand that:
Having regular menstrual cycles does not guarantee a good ovarian reserve.
There are not always visible symptoms that indicate a decline in fertility.
Two women of the same age can have very different reproductive profiles.
Changes in Egg Quality
In addition to quantity, egg quality is also affected over time. With age, the likelihood of genetic alterations in eggs increases, which can influence:
Difficulty getting pregnant.
Higher risk of implantation failure.
Increased likelihood of early losses.
These changes do not mean it is impossible to have a baby after a certain age, but they do mean the path may require more careful evaluations and different medical strategies.
Age Also Matters in Male Fertility
There is a widespread idea that male fertility is not affected by the passage of time. The reality is that, although changes are often more gradual than in women, age also influences male reproductive health.
Over the years, the following may occur:
- Changes in sperm quality.
- Alterations in sperm motility.
- Increased sperm DNA fragmentation.
- Hormonal changes.
These factors can impact both the likelihood of achieving a pregnancy and embryonic development. That’s why evaluating the male factor is a fundamental part of a comprehensive fertility approach.
Why Are Many People Surprised When Pregnancy Doesn’t Happen?
One of the most complex aspects of this topic is that fertility decline is often silent. There isn’t always pain, obvious changes, or clear signs that something is happening.
Many people are surprised when, after months or years of trying, pregnancy doesn’t happen. This happens because:
- Fertility isn’t perceived until someone actively tries to conceive.
- There is little reproductive education focused on prevention.
- The impact of age is underestimated when there are no symptoms.
In this context, time passes without clear information, and when someone decides to seek help, the situation may be different than expected.
The Importance of Getting Informed Before There Is a Difficulty
Talking about fertility before trying to get pregnant is not exaggerated or alarmist. It is a form of prevention. Knowing the current state of reproductive health makes it possible to make decisions with more room and less pressure.
Getting informed in time makes it possible to:
- Understand how your fertility is today.
- Learn what options are available based on your situation.
- Avoid assumptions or unrealistic expectations.
- Plan with information, not urgency.
Information does not force you to act immediately, but it does offer clarity.
Biological Age vs. Chronological Age
Another key point is understanding that chronological age (your years of age) does not always match reproductive biological age. Some people may have a diminished ovarian reserve at younger ages, while others maintain favorable ovarian function longer.
That’s why relying only on age is not enough. A medical evaluation makes it possible to understand each person’s real situation and avoid generalizations.
When Time Becomes an Emotional Factor
Beyond biology, age also has an emotional impact on reproductive processes. As the years pass, many people experience:
- Social or family pressure.
- Fear that “it’s already too late.”
- Guilt for having postponed decisions.
- Anxiety about results.
These emotions are understandable and are part of the process. That’s why fertility care should not be limited to medical data, but should consider the emotional experience of each story.
What Options Exist When Age Influences Fertility?
Reproductive medicine has evolved to adapt to different scenarios. Today there are alternatives designed to support people in different stages of reproductive life.
These options are not the same for everyone and depend on multiple factors, such as:
- Age.
- Ovarian reserve status.
- Medical history.
- Previous attempts.
- Reproductive goals.
The key point is that there is no single answer or one path. That’s why personalized evaluation is essential.
Making Informed Decisions Changes the Experience
When fertility is approached through information and not urgency, the experience changes. Knowing where you stand makes it possible to:
- Reduce uncertainty.
- Make decisions with greater confidence.
- Feel supported throughout the process.
- Avoid unnecessary or repetitive paths.
Age can make a difference, but it does not completely define the outcome. What does make a real difference is having clear information and appropriate professional support.
Age Doesn’t Cancel the Desire, It Provides Context
The desire to have a baby does not disappear with the years. What changes is the context in which that desire is lived. Understanding how age influences fertility makes it possible to adjust expectations, explore options, and move forward with greater awareness.
It’s not about racing against time, but about walking with it, understanding how it works and what possibilities exist at each stage.
Getting Informed Today Can Expand Your Options Tomorrow
Many stories change when information arrives in time. Not because it forces immediate decisions, but because it allows you to choose with greater freedom.
Talking about age and fertility is not about giving things up, but about possibilities. Possibilities that expand when you know your own body, understand the stage of life you’re in, and have medical support that explains, guides, and respects each process.
Understanding Age as Part of the Path
Age is a real factor in fertility, but it is not the only one or the definitive one. What makes the difference is understanding how it influences fertility, what changes over time, and above all, what options exist today for each individual story. When information is clear, uncertainty turns into more conscious and confident decisions.
At Ingenes, we believe that getting informed doesn’t mean rushing steps or making decisions too soon. It means knowing your starting point, understanding where you are right now, and knowing there are possible paths, even when the situation feels complex. Because having a baby is not only a medical goal—it’s a life project that deserves to be supported with science, clarity, and respect.
Sometimes, the first step is not trying again, but pausing to get better informed. And when that process happens with the right support, the path stops feeling uncertain and begins to be built with greater confidence and real possibilities.