35 years and fertility
The age of 35 is identified as the threshold age for a woman's fertility and all pregnancies over 35 are considered to be at risk. But is it really so? An article recently published on the Guardian and written by journalist Arwa Mahdavi sheds light on this medical belief, citing various studies and stating that obsession with the number 35 would generate excess anxiety in women, while also proving to be of little use. Let's find out more.
- Fertile age threshold, passed from 35 to 37,1
- 35 as a fertility threshold, an obsession of little use
- Men also have a biological clock
Fertile age threshold: it would have gone from 35 to 37,1
The fertile age threshold for women would have increased from 35 to 37,1. A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association and performed in the United States.
Research has found that the age of natural menopause has risen and that the age of menarche has instead decreased, generally showing an increase in the duration of female reproductive life in the United States. Additionally, the analysis was performed on sixty-year trends in reproductive life cycles.
The investigation sparked a debate on the age threshold of 35 for female fertility. In fact, beyond that number, many speak of "advanced maternal age" and it is easy for pregnancy over 35 to be considered high risk. But is the distinction really that rigid? The study cited by the journalist undermines the obsession with 35 as the maximum fertility threshold.
It is true that as we age decreases fertility, that is, the likelihood of getting pregnant. But it is also true that the data that between 35 and 39 a woman will not be able to get pregnant after a year of trying is not up to date. There are others, more recent and less worrying.
Read Also: Ovulation Stick: How They Work35 as the threshold of fertility, an obsession of little use?
A 2004 study of 770 European women found that, having sex at least twice a week, 78% of women between the ages of 35 and 40 become pregnant within a year, compared with 84% of women between 20 and 34 years old. L'Atlantic pointed out how these data have been eliminated by the commission of theAmerican society for reproductive medicine (Asrm) on the age and fertility of women, who indeed launched a warning - through a controversial advertising campaign - to conceive between the ages of 20 and 30.
The obsession with the number 35, considered the age limit for fertility, would be unfounded from a scientific point of view and even of little use. A gynecologist recently stated in Slate: "This monolithic thinking generates stress and prejudice."
In fact, given that doctors use this limit to guide care, it often happens that after the age of 35 people are subjected to numerous tests and therapies, often unnecessary.
Read also: Fertile period: what it is and how it is calculatedMen also have a biological clock
It must be remembered that even in men the quality of sperm drops over time. They are therefore not exempt from the reduction of fertility. Despite this, the idea that humans do not have biological clocks continues to be widespread.
Some research shows how children born to older fathers have more chances to have health problems, psychiatric problems and cognitive disorders. Indeed, according to a study, men could be the only ones responsible for 20-30% of infertility cases.
Read also: Are you looking for a child? Sleep in the dark and respect your circadian rhythmsMom at 40, things to know
Mom at 35 or 40, or even more? Yes, it can be done, and indeed today it is done more and more often. Especially in Del Paese, which holds the European record for women with their first child at 40 and is one of the first countries in Europe where more than half of women have their first child after the age of 30.
In many cases, things go smoothly, without particular problems, but it cannot be taken for granted and for this reason some extra attention is needed. Those looking for a child after the age of 35 should know that with age the risks of infertility, spontaneous abortion and chromosomal abnormalities of the fetus increase. And that any pregnancy will be by definition at risk.
But what are, really, risks and complications that can be encountered if you start looking for the stork around 40 years of age? And can anything be done to prevent them? Find out in the article
TAG:
- fertility
- mom over 40
- mothers at 40
