For example, a woman at 30 often has around 100,000-150,000 eggs in reserve. By 35, that number is likely around 80,000. Late into the thirties, that number could be 25,000, 10,000, or fewer.
The study published by the University of St. Andrews and Edinburgh University in Scotland found that women have lost 90 percent of their eggs by the time they are 30 years old, and only have about 3 percent remaining by the time they are 40.
Fertility in the 40s – A healthy person's ovarian reserve reaches a “critical low” of 25,000 eggs between their 37th and 38th year [5]. By the time their 40s begin, people with uteruses have a slim chance of getting pregnant without the support of ART (assisted reproductive treatment).
Women lose 90 per cent of the eggs in their ovaries before the age of 30, new research has shown. The mathematical model shows that the average woman has only 12 per cent of her eggs left by the age of 30 and only three per cent by the age of 40.
A woman's peak reproductive years are between the late teens and late 20s. By age 30, fertility (the ability to get pregnant) starts to decline. This decline happens faster once you reach your mid-30s. By 45, fertility has declined so much that getting pregnant naturally is unlikely.
After age 35, there's a higher risk of pregnancy-related complications that might lead to a C-section delivery. The risk of chromosomal conditions is higher. Babies born to older mothers have a higher risk of certain chromosomal conditions, such as Down syndrome. The risk of pregnancy loss is higher.
For example, a woman at 30 often has around 100,000-150,000 eggs in reserve. By 35, that number is likely around 80,000. Late into the thirties, that number could be 25,000, 10,000, or fewer.
The study found that pregnancy rates decreased progressively with increasing age of the recipient female patient 6. The cumulative pregnancy rate observed up to 12 insemination cycles was 74% for women younger than 31 years and decreased to 62% for women aged 31–35 years and to 54% for women older than 35 years 6.
But age 35 is not without significance. Fertility declines with age due to two factors: a decrease in egg count, as women lose eggs each month; and a decrease in egg quality, as naturally, with age, their eggs are more likely to contain chromosomal abnormalities (mistakes in their DNA).
By the time a woman reaches 37, her egg count is down to 25,000 and at 51, which is the average age of menopause in the U.S., she has at most a thousand eggs left in her ovaries. “It's part of ageing—as we get older, we get wrinkles and our metabolism slows down, and we continue to lose eggs,” says R.
Irregular period cycle and difficulty conceiving
If you are facing issues conceiving and have not been able to conceive for a while now, it could be one of the signs of bad egg quality.
How does egg quality change over time? No one is immune to egg quality issues. Even in a woman's 20s to early 30s, approximately 25-30% of the embryos that form from their eggs are anticipated to have genetic errors. This proportion rises to ~50% by age 37-38 and to over 70% at age 40 and beyond.
Egg quality and quantity also decline in a woman's 30s and 40s. While the total number of eggs cannot be increased, research has shown that egg quality can be improved. Supplements containing Myo-inositol, folic acid and melatonin have been shown to help improve egg quality and ovarian function.
Only one will make it to "mature egg" status and be ovulated. The ones that break down along the way go through what's called "atresia." If you're taking the pill, you'll stop that mature egg from developing, but it doesn't stop the waves of atresia. So, it doesn't "save" your eggs or delay menopause.
Doctors have tests to measure egg count.
There are two good ways to measure egg count: an antral follicle count and an AMH (anti-Müllerian hormone) test.
For women, getting older is something to be more aware of if they wish to conceive naturally. A study revealed that women aged 35-39 had a 29% of conceiving on their most fertile day.
This is true not only for natural conception but also for assisted conception. According to the Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority, about 95% of women aged 35 who have regular unprotected sexual intercourse will get pregnant after three years of trying, but for women aged 38, only 75% will do so2.
ACOG states that a female's fertility gradually and significantly drops around age 32. They will have around 120,000 eggs, with a 20% chance of conceiving per cycle. ACOG further states that a female will experience a rapid decline by age 37, when egg count drops to around 25,000.
The age of 35 isn't some kind of magical cut-off date for an uncomplicated pregnancy. Instead, it is on a gradual continuum where we see increased risks based on lifestyle, increased risk of genetic abnormalities, and declining fertility.
Even with all the understandable talk of “windows of opportunity” and “biological clocks,” there are ways for women over 35 to make motherhood a reality. Infertility treatments can be difficult and expensive, but fertility specialists can talk with you about options. Age is less of a limitation than it used to be.
A woman is born with all her eggs. Once she starts her periods, 1 egg develops and is released during each menstrual cycle.
You are at your most fertile during your 20s through your mid-30's. Fertility rates drop off after the age of 35 years old until menopause. After menopause, it is not possible to get pregnant naturally.
Definition of geriatric pregnancy
We define advanced maternal age (formerly geriatric pregnancy) as those who are 35 years or older at their estimated delivery date.
Advanced maternal age describes a pregnancy where the birthing person is older than 35. Pregnant people over age 35 are more at risk for complications like miscarriage, congenital disorders and high blood pressure. Screening tests can help detect certain congenital disorders.