What is fertility?
Fertility is the body’s ability to have children – meaning to get pregnant or to get someone else pregnant. Understanding fertility is an important step for anyone planning to have a baby, curious about their body, or thinking about the future. Here we’ll go over what fertility means for both women and men, how fertility changes with age, and what you can do to influence it.
Read time: 3 m
Verified by Jenny Jansson
Certified midwife
What does it mean to be fertile?
The word “fertile” simply means having the ability to reproduce. Fertility refers to the body’s biological ability to become pregnant (for women) or to cause pregnancy (for men). Fertility is affected by several factors – including age, lifestyle, hormonal balance, and overall health.
Male fertility – sperm production continues for life
In men, sperm production begins at puberty and usually continues for the rest of life. New sperm are constantly being produced, but:
- Sperm quality may decline with age.
- After age 40, both sperm count and mobility may be affected.
- Health conditions, smoking, obesity, and stress can also reduce fertility.
That said, many men are still able to father children later in life, though it may take more time.
Female fertility – egg reserve declines with age
Women are born with all the eggs they’ll ever have, which remain inactive in the ovaries until puberty, when menstruation and ovulation begin. This marks the start of a woman’s fertile years. However, female fertility has a biological limit:
- It peaks in the 20s and early 30s.
- Fertility declines significantly after age 35.
- After age 40, getting pregnant naturally becomes more difficult.
- After menopause, natural pregnancy is no longer possible.
Still, fertility is highly individual – some women conceive easily in their 40s, while others may need help much earlier.
Factors that affect fertility
Several lifestyle factors impact fertility for both women and men:
- Diet and nutrition – A healthy diet supports hormonal balance and the reproductive system.
- Exercise – Regular, moderate physical activity is beneficial. However, excessive exercise can have a negative effect.
- Stress – High stress levels can interfere with hormone production.
- Tobacco, alcohol, and drugs – These can negatively affect both eggs and sperm.
- Weight – Being over- or underweight can affect ovulation and sperm quality.
When to seek help
If you’ve been trying to get pregnant for a year without success (or for six months if you’re over 35), it may be time to see a doctor or fertility specialist. There are many treatment options available, including hormone therapy, insemination, and IVF.
Verified by Jenny Jansson
Certified midwife
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