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Millennials came of age in an economy and society that has pushed many of them to delay having a family in their most fertile years. This has happened due to:
- Cultural shifts, as women especially are prioritizing early career advancement over early families.
- Economic shifts, as many millennials are not economically stable enough to afford families before the age of 35.
- Social shifts, as dating has become more casual, and there is less social stigma around remaining unmarried.
One of the major side effects of these changes is that millennials are getting married and having families later in life. Unfortunately, as both men and women get older, the ease with which they can conceive reduces. This is not only a women’s issue, as men may develop low sperm count and other conditions that can make conceiving a child without assistance difficult to achieve. For women, there are more significant issues associated with pregnancy and fertility after the age of 34.
What Steps Can I Take Today to Protect My Fertility?
There are a few steps you can take today to protect your ability to have children and ensure you remain fertile.
Use Protection
One of the significant factors that can cause infertility in both men and women are sexually transmitted infections. Many sexually transmitted diseases can have long-term negative impacts on fertility, even after successful treatment. For this reason, we suggest that you use protection, such as condoms (for both men and women), when engaging in sexual relations.
Maintain a Healthy Weight
Excess weight can negatively impact the fertility of men and women. By maintaining a healthy weight, men and women can ensure they remain healthy and capable of producing and carrying a viable pregnancy. An active lifestyle, coupled with a healthy diet, can usually keep your weight down; however, other factors, such as stress, may affect your weight and, in turn, your fertility as well.
Talk to your doctor about options to keep your weight down if diet and exercise are not sufficient.
Stop Smoking
Habitual smoking is known to reduce fertility in both men and women. As of 2017, 16.5 percent of people aged between 25 and 44 were smokers. That age range had the highest number of smokers percentage-wise in the United States, and this data does not reflect the rise of cannabis or e-cigarettes use, both of which create various health risks that may affect fertility.
One of the best ways to protect your ability to have children is to quit smoking, or ideally, never start in the first place.
What Fertility Steps Should I Take for Tomorrow?
For women concerned about getting older, and the risks associated with pregnancy after 35, there are things you can do now to make it easier for you then.
One option is to freeze your eggs while you are still young. This practice can result in a successful future pregnancy.
For couples committed to each other, but not yet ready for parenthood, they may be interested in our embryo freezing options to preserve a viable embryo until you decide the time is right.
Interested in Fertility Protection?
If you are interested in learning more about ensuring your fertility, please call our office at (310) 881-8846. You can also fill out our online consultation form, and we will reach out to you to schedule your appointment at one of our Southern California offices.
