How can women and men determine if they are fertile?
For men, a simple test called a sperm analysis can be conducted. With this test, the volume and concentration of sperm in a millilitre, as well as the morphology or shape of the sperm, can be examined. Abnormal-shaped sperm cells are always present, but they should account for less than 40%. Additionally, at least 60% of the sperm should show progressive movement, and there should be a minimum of 20 million sperm per millilitre. The volume of sperm should typically range between 2-5 millilitres. However, having a slightly lower sperm count does not mean someone cannot become a father. They still have a chance; it just may take a bit longer compared to others. Moreover, nowadays, sperm abnormalities can be effectively treated through various methods such as insemination or in vitro fertilisation (IVF).
For women, a more detailed examination is required. One of these is checking whether the fallopian tubes are open. It is recommended that this test be done for couples who have not achieved pregnancy despite attempting for a year. For women under 35 years old, if pregnancy has not occurred after one year of trying, the openness of the fallopian tubes should be examined. This timeframe can be slightly shorter for women over 35. Another test that should be performed for women is to investigate whether there is ovulation and whether the hormone levels are balanced. There are two simple blood tests for this purpose. The first one measures the hormones responsible for ovulation and ovarian function on the third day of the menstrual cycle. The other test, done on the 21st day of the cycle, checks for ovulation. These tests can help determine if a woman has hormonal imbalances or ovulation issues.
Is the likelihood of infertility higher in women with irregular periods?
Yes, compared to women with regular periods, the likelihood is higher. A woman typically menstruates every 28 days, but the normal range is between 25-32 days. A variation of 1-2 days is not concerning. However, if, for example, a woman only menstruates once every 2 or 3 months, it is highly likely that her ovulation function is not working properly. Therefore, the chances of getting pregnant without treatment for such a person are considerably low.
What is the fertility age limit for men?
For example, if a 70-year-old man can engage in sexual intercourse and experience ejaculation, it is still possible for him to father a child. Although sperm count may decrease in men due to hormonal changes, it never reaches zero.
What determines the fertility age limit in women?
A girl’s eggs are already present in her ovaries when she is still a fetus in her mother’s womb. By the fourth month of pregnancy, the eggs reach their peak number, which is approximately 2 million. However, about half of these eggs are lost at birth. It is estimated that when a child reaches puberty, there are about 400,000 eggs left in her ovaries. After that, the number of eggs continues to decrease gradually. Getting pregnant after the age of 45 becomes increasingly difficult due to this natural process, but it is not impossible. The biological makeup varies from person to person, but pregnancy at these ages rarely occurs. Therefore, speaking in terms of age, there is not much change in women’s fertility until the age of 35. The ages between 20-30 are the most fertile years for women. After the age of 35, fertility decreases.
Do environmental factors affect fertility?
Certainly, they do, but the impact of environmental factors is more noticeable in men. This is because while egg production in women does not continue throughout life, sperm production in men is ongoing. In fact, sperm is one of the most continuously produced cell types in the male body. Therefore, they are more susceptible to environmental influences. Sperm production takes approximately 3 months. During this time, environmental factors such as chemical substances, radiation, toxins, and hormones given to food uncontrollably can affect the reproductive organs.
How does lifestyle and smoking affect fertility?
Lifestyle significantly affects a person’s fertility. Smoking, in particular, affects ovarian function more than fertility. This is because smoking contains numerous chemicals that narrow blood vessels and reduce the capacity of blood to carry oxygen each time it is consumed. Consequently, it reduces the amount of oxygen delivered to every organ, including the ovaries. For example, while the average age of menopause is around 51, it occurs approximately 3 years earlier in a woman who smokes a pack of cigarettes a day. Scientific research conducted on this topic provides ample evidence. If smoking affects the ovaries to this extent, it is inevitable that it also affects fertility.
How to avoid environmental factors?
Since this is within their control, couples should first distance themselves from substances that harm them. Quitting smoking can be considered the first step. Alcohol consumption comes next. While occasional drinking does not pose a problem, continuous alcohol consumption should be stopped. It is also advisable to reduce the consumption of caffeine-containing beverages such as coffee and tea. Furthermore, beyond this, it is necessary to avoid foods containing artificial dyes, high levels of chemical substances, and preservatives such as nitrites and sulfites.
When should couples turn to IVF treatment?
Couples under the age of 35 should try to conceive naturally for at least 1 year. However, if there are existing problems, there is no need to wait for a year. For example, if a woman menstruates once every 3 months, it would be pointless to wait for a year before testing. Thus, if there are clear problems, they should be treated. But in a normal situation, waiting for a year is appropriate. After the age of 35, tests such as sperm analysis can be performed after 6-9 months of trying. If a person over 40 wants to have a child, they can start testing and treatment as soon as possible.
Does a history of abortion affect fertility?
Like any surgery, abortion carries a certain degree of risk. The risks associated with abortion include adhesions in the uterus, infection, bleeding, and uterine perforation. However, these are rare occurrences. While abortion carries a certain risk to fertility, a well-performed abortion does not have any effect. An increase in the number of abortions does not necessarily mean an increased risk compared to previous ones.
At what time of the month are women most fertile?
The 14th day after the first day of menstruation is the most anticipated ovulation day. Since sperm lives for an average of 48 hours, starting from the 10th day, having intercourse every other day is predicted to bring the chances of pregnancy to the highest level.
For more details, you can read our article on ovulation: Most Asked 10 Questions about Ovulation Period
Is there an ideal fertility time for men?
There are not many restrictions for men. Since sperm production continues continuously, but the liquid part of the sperm also needs to be formed, it is estimated that the most suitable combination for men will be produced in intercourse that is performed every other day as a standard. If a man is going to have a sperm analysis done in a laboratory, it is recommended that he provide a sperm sample after 2-3 days of sexual abstinence. Because the most suitable sperm profile is measured after this two-day abstinence. While frequent intercourse leads to a decrease in sperm volume and counts, too much time between intercourse reduces sperm motility. Therefore, intercourse every other day is considered the most suitable for pregnancy. If a man already has a very good sperm count, this timeframe may not be crucial.
Is it possible to not be able to get pregnant after treatment?
Certainly, there is. Nowadays, about 90% of couples who cannot conceive can achieve pregnancy through treatment. The remaining 10% cannot conceive due to serious reasons. If there is no sperm production in men or if there is no egg production in women, there is nothing that can be done. If there are severe uterine abnormalities, the chance of pregnancy is eliminated.
How many attempts should be made if IVF treatment is unsuccessful?
Treatments are a process conducted against both the purse, psychology, and time. Therefore, couples should be able to say it’s not working after trying for a while. The previous attempt should guide the next one. Before trying again, it is essential to look back and investigate why the treatment failed. For a woman under 35, the chance of success in the first attempt is between 50% and 60%. However, the probability decreases slightly with each attempt. There is usually no problem with a woman up to an average of 6 attempts. Unless there is a critical issue, a woman under the age of 35 can get pregnant in a maximum of three attempts with today’s technology. However, if a woman is over 40, the chance of pregnancy decreases due to reduced fertility. The chance of getting pregnant through IVF at this age is about 25%. Therefore, there may be more treatment attempts in this age range.
