Why is it harder to conceive older?

[Itsbrtnybish]

Is it because you are born with a Finite amount of eggs? So as you age you have less?
What if you’ve a high ovarian reserve just generally speaking and for your age? Does that mean it won’t be harder?

what about if you’re of advanced maternal age (say 36) but youre healthy (weight and health conditions), don’t smoke, take supplements for egg quality and have a high AMH? does that mean you’ve redressed the balance or are there other things at play?

All the tests sound really positive and reassuring. I belive it's because older eggs are more likely to have chromosomal problems and that means they are less likely to implant properly. 36 is just the cusp of 'advanced' maternal age (I hate this term😅) so wouldn't let it deter you too much. Majority of women are only starting families in their 30s now. Hope all works out x

I think it’s basically the age of the eggs, and the condition of your uterus (fibroids, lining), and your hormone levels, all of which deteriorate as you get older

It’s not just about the number of eggs, it’s the quality of those eggs that gets worse with age so you can have lots of eggs still but those eggs are of a lower quality, meaning more chance of chromosomal abnormalities and those eggs not implanting or developing into a baby if that makes sense. Also as others said the older the more likely it is for you to develop other things that impact fertility like endo, fibroids etc

I fell pregnant naturally first time at 39 and 44. But I started my period at 15. So could be that. Both babies extremely healthy.

Yep, as others have said it’s the eggs. You can have high egg quality in that they “look” perfect, but at our age only 50% of our eggs will be chromosomally normal, so that means it will generally take longer to get a good one, iyswim.

What about if you take supplements for egg quality? Does that improve things

and in the absence of endo, fibroids etc

basically im trying to work out how much time i have

You can take supplements if you want to, but no supplement freezes or reverses time and essentially no matter what supplements you take your eggs do reduce in quality with age, that is normal and natural.

You also need to factor in that it’s not just about when you start trying, you have no idea how long it can take you to conceive and there’s no way of knowing that beforehand unfortunately. Everyone is different, I have a colleague now nearly 38, her & her husband have been actively trying for 2 years now with no success so now trying IVF, they have done absolutely everything they could, no alcohol, no smoking, healthy weight, diet, exercise, both of them are taking all of the recommended supplements and then some, but sadly nothing yet. Other people you see on her have fallen pregnant in late 30’s etc as an accident. There’s a huge spectrum and you have no idea where within that you will fall until you try, but the sooner you do try the better your chances will be.

Don’t certain supplements improve egg (and sperm for man) quality?

sounds like your friend has unexplained infertility.

im 35 (and a half) and have been trying for 5 months (in the tww) for month 6.

we have children already (#1 took 9 months at 28) and 2 was first month at 31. Trying to work out if #3 and maybe #4 are feasible but realised I don’t really know much about fertility.

ive seen a private gynae for a fertility check up and all tests and scans seemed normal, mild adenomyosis but they said that it was very mild and common in people who’ve had children. My amh was 37 I think, which he said was very very good and my hormones were fine (ie not perimenopause)

but the quality and quantity argument makes sense, because of dna damage. I guess some supplements can likely improve quality but I suppose it’s relative to age isn’t it. They can improve it but probably not make them the same quality as a 25 yr old

Yeah that’s exactly it really, supplements can improve things but they can’t freeze or reverse time.

@Itsbrtnybish loved this video I watched about this subject some time ago.

I’m pretty skeptical of the guests he has on, and the stuff he parots. He’s spread a lot of misinformation on health more generally speaking but I’ll watch it thank you. :)

I take it back…. I’m on minute 30 on sperm and she’s really evidence based. Loving it

Dr Crawford was also on the Huberman Lab podcast - I recommend that episode and her instagram page generally. Very informative.

Dr. Crawford is the real deal and I follow her advice. Currently 36 and had two very easy pregnancies (pregnant first try both times), but have had multiple losses in the past year trying for #3. All test have come back fine and and my AMH is really good, however, I know my most recent loss is from a chromosome issue and my specialist is assuming the ones before are the same. Therefore, whilst I have no problem getting pregnant and have a high egg count, my age has caused egg quality issues. I wish I hadn't waited so long to try for #3. I am a healthy weight, and doing all the things Dr. Crawford and It Starts With an Egg recommend. Going to try one more pregnancy before moving to IVF to test egg quality prior to implanting.

Also, I respect how honest Dr. Crawford is about aging and how important it is to not procrastinate getting pregnant. I think the posts where people talk about getting pregnant late into their 30's/early 40's aren't always helpful because it gives a false sense of security. The reality, if you want a baby and if you want more than one then waiting until your mid to late 30's isn't ideal. It can't always be helped of course, but I wish I had had a better understanding of this and had started trying for #3 a bit earlier.

but realised I don’t really know much about fertility

Sorry OP, but this is clearly apparent!!!
A good AMH reading simply says you have X amount of eggs, with no regards for the quality of those eggs! If the eggs are older with genetic issues or poor quality, it makes no difference how many you have!
Have you read 'It starts with an egg'? You can get copies off ebay, and it has some good tips and simple lifestyle changes which might help.
You already have children and have only been TTC 5mths, so things are in your favour OP. Wishing you all the best.

I didn’t even give the prospect of having a child any consideration until I was 40. I then accepted that statistically it was unlikely to be successful but decided I’d like to try and see what happens. I eventually did fall pregnant naturally and had DS at 43.

I have a number of friends and acquaintances who also had their first DC at 40+. As time has passed more and more and have confided in me that they used various IVF methods including frozen eggs, donor eggs, donor sperm etc. I’ve no issues with any of that but what it has taught me is that you should be wary of assuming that the majority of these older mothers conceived naturally. A lot of people keep quiet about the methods used which I think is a shame but is of course personal choice.

I know of several who have spent 50k+ to get to their desired end result.

I think it would be better all round if people understood the facts better as it would help both planning and also to manage expectations.

The reality is it comes down to nature. Yes we now know a lot more information but naturally mammals are designed to have their young at a younger age.

Noone not even the top scientist can tell you how long, they can guess. By all means take all the advice to improve your chances but remember in the end it won't be within your or your medical teams control. Letting go of this burden will hopefully help you be a more relaxed mind set which is a good thing to have. Wishing you health and happiness.

It is about egg quality but it isn't like if you're past 28 you've no chance. My son with the wonky chromosomes was conceived at 33, and it was spontaneous not heritable so likely dodgy egg. The only thing that went dodgy with my egg at 37 years was it split. Two perfectly chunky twins just before I turned 38. My friends first child had the wonky chromosomes when she was 23, her two kids at 30 and 35 were genetically typical.

Of course your chances of issues increase, as does miscarriage but it's not quite the exponential rise some people make out

@SleepingStandingUp brings up another interesting aspect of having kids at 'older' ages. The likelihood of twins dramatically increases in older mums.

I would disagree with you based on the research I have done on the subject. If you are 30 years you have a 20% chance of getting pregnant per month, if you are 35 you have a 12% chance, 38 is an 8% chance, 40 is 5% and less. So these numbers are lower as you get older and its not because you have less eggs its because the number of eggs that you are ovulating have chromosome issues. As you get older, miscarriage rates increase and pregnancy rates decrease.

not sure the first line which is clearly quite rude was necessary

Reading this I kind of feel hopeless.

ive taken coq10 for 5 months, vit c and omegas.

i should’ve tried for # 3 sooner.

are there any tests for egg quality?

Is your partner taking supplements too? Has he had his sperm checked? We assumed my DH was fine but after a year realised his numbers were so so low. Two months on supplements and they’re now better than normal for his age

He takes proxeed plus which from what I’ve read is the only supplement clinically proven to improve sperm. His count and progressive motility are fine, morphology a bit low but according to the dr seeing as we conceived naturally twice with similar results, and apparently morphology is the least understood sperm parameter, he didn’t see any issues