Fertility After 35: What You Should Know

Trying to get pregnant after 35 is completely possible, though fertility does naturally decline with age. This article explores the impact of age on fertility, steps to understand your reproductive health, and actionable tips for improving your chances of conceiving.

How Fertility Changes After 35

Fertility starts to decline in the late 20s to early 30s, with a sharper decline after 35. Here’s why:

• Egg Reserve: The number of eggs in your ovaries decreases over time, but the rate of decline differs for each woman. Tests like AMH (anti-Müllerian hormone) provide an estimate of your ovarian reserve, or how many eggs you might have left. Keep in mind that AMH doesn’t directly predict your ability to conceive, but it’s a helpful indicator if you’re 35 and trying to get pregnant.
  
  
• Egg Quality: Egg quality tends to decline after 35, which can make getting pregnant after 35more challenging. This decline may affect fertilisation, implantation, and increase the risk of miscarriage. While there’s no specific test for egg quality, understanding this factor is crucial when evaluating your fertility.
  
  
• Uterine Health: Conditions like fibroids or polyps become slightly more common with age. These issues can interfere with the implantation of a fertilised egg or cause symptoms like heavier periods. A pelvic ultrasound can check for these conditions and assess uterine health, especially if you’ve been trying to get pregnant at 35 without success.
  
  
• Overall Health: Chronic conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes are more likely to appear with age and may affect both fertility and pregnancy outcomes. Addressing these health concerns early can improve your chances of a healthy pregnancy.
  
  

By their early 40s, a woman’s chances of conceiving naturally are much lower but not impossible. A woman is only considered biologically infertile once she reaches menopause and stops releasing eggs.

Timing Is Everything

Knowing when you conceive is one of the most critical factors for success. Timing intercourse during your fertile window—the days leading up to ovulation—maximises your chances.

• Why It Matters: Sperm can survive inside your body for up to 5 days, but the egg only lives for 12–24 hours. Having sperm in place before ovulation gives you the best chance for fertilisation.
  
  
• Tracking Ovulation: If your cycles are regular, ovulation usually happens about 14 days before your next period. If your cycles are irregular, methods like cervical mucus monitoring, basal body temperature (BBT) tracking, or ovulation predictor kits (OPKs) can help you identify your fertile days.

When to Get Checked

If you’ve been trying to conceive without success, it’s important to know when to seek help:

• If You’re Over 35: Speak to a doctor if you haven’t conceived after 6 months of regular, well-timed intercourse. The timeline for getting pregnant after 35 is tighter, hence it’s recommended to seek help within 6 months.
• If You Have Symptoms: Irregular cycles, painful or heavy periods, or spotting between periods could point to conditions like PCOS, endometriosis, or fibroids. Getting checked early can save time and frustration.

Fertility Testing: The Starting Point

If you want to be proactive to understand your fertility better, testing is a great place to start.

• For Women:
  
  • Ovarian Reserve Tests: AMH levels estimate your remaining egg supply, a useful metric if you’re considering your chances of getting pregnant at 35.
  • Ultrasounds: A pelvic scan can check for fibroids, polyps, and other structural issues, as well as assess your uterine lining.
  • Hormonal Testing: Tests for FSH, LH, and thyroid function can uncover issues affecting ovulation and reproductive health.
  • Overall Health: Conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes become more common as we grow older, and they can impact both fertility and pregnancy outcomes. Screening for these conditions early allows you to address them proactively and optimise your health before trying to conceive.
    
    
• For Men:
  
  • Semen Analysis: A simple test to check sperm count, movement, and shape, as male factors play a role in about half of fertility challenges.

Supporting Your Fertility

While fertility does decline with age, there are natural ways to increase fertility after 35:

• Lifestyle Adjustments: Maintain a healthy weight, quit smoking, and limit alcohol—these all contribute to egg and sperm health.
• Targeted Nutrition: Certain nutrients, like Vitamin D, are important for ovarian health, but supplementation should address specific deficiencies. Always consult a doctor before starting supplements.

Taking the Next Step

Trying to get pregnant after age 35 is a unique journey for everyone. Starting with fertility testing gives you a clearer understanding of where you stand and helps you make informed decisions about your next steps.

If you haven’t conceived after 6 months of trying, or if you’re experiencing symptoms like irregular periods or heavy bleeding, don’t wait to reach out to a doctor. Whether you’re curious about your chances of falling pregnant at 35 or already on the journey of trying to conceive, a fertility testing can give you greater clarity on your next steps.

Book a couple's fertility screening or an in-depth reproductive health screening for women to get started.