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Whether you’re actively trying to conceive or just want to learn more about your reproductive health, there’s no denying that knowledge is power when it comes to our fertility. That’s why, this holiday season, Rescripted has put together “12 Days of Fertility Facts,” to help you feel in the know and more at ease about your options for growing your family, either now or in the future.
12 Fertility Facts
1. Synthetic Chemicals
Did you know the average person comes into contact with over 500 synthetic chemicals daily in their home? Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs), which can be found in many personal care products, can ravage our hormones and lead to unpleasant symptoms such as PMS, acne, and in some cases, infertility. For more information on how everyday household products can impact fertility, check out Doveras' fertility and lifestyle science database.
2. Male Infertility Factor
Up to 50% of fertility issues are attributed to men. By learning more about your sperm count and reproductive health, you can make better-informed lifestyle and treatment decisions to improve your chances to conceive.
3. Lubricants
When trying to get pregnant, not all lubricants are created equal. Most everyday lubricants have a low pH and very high salt concentrations, which can be harmful to sperm. Being cleared for fertility (PEB category) is a sure way to know a lubricant is safe to use while TTC.
4. Infertility Evaluation
When should you seek the help of a fertility specialist? Experts recommend an infertility evaluation if you have not gotten pregnant after 1 year of unprotected sex without using birth control. If you’re older than 35, an evaluation is recommended after 6 months of trying. If you’re over 40, talk with your OBGYN as soon as possible.
5. Fibroids
Fibroids are noncancerous tumors made of smooth muscle cells and fibrous connective tissue that develop in and around the uterus. It’s estimated that 70 to 80 percent of women will develop fibroids in their lifetime; however, not all fibroids produce symptoms or require treatment. If you are experiencing heavy, painful, or prolonged periods, pelvic pressure, frequent urination, or difficulty getting pregnant, be sure to speak to your doctor about the possibility of a uterine fibroids diagnosis.
6. PGT-A Testing
PGT-A testing, or preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy, is a genetic test performed on embryos during IVF to screen for chromosomal abnormalities such as extra or missing chromosomes. Embryos with chromosomal abnormalities often fail to implant or can lead to miscarriage. Genetically normal embryos are more likely to lead to a successful pregnancy. Read everything you need to know about PGT-A on ALife's blog here.
7. Freezing Your Eggs
Studies suggest that women who freeze their eggs before age 35 have a better chance of a successful pregnancy than those who freeze their eggs after age 35. This is because the more eggs retrieved and frozen, the better the chance of a successful pregnancy.
8. Donor Eggs
Did you know that since the first birth from a donated egg in 1983, there have been more than 50,000 live births from donor eggs?
9. Age-Related Infertility
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A woman's age is the most important factor affecting her fertility and her chance of having a baby. This is because women are born with all of the eggs they’ll ever have (1-2 million), and this number steadily declines with age. As we get older, we also have more chromosomally abnormal eggs, which is why it’s important to see a fertility specialist if you’ve been trying to conceive for over a year without success (6 months if you’re over 35).
10. Mediterranean Diet
One study showed that a greater observance of a Mediterranean-style diet while going through IVF was associated with a higher likelihood of achieving clinical pregnancy and live birth among non-obese women under 35 years of age. So, stock up on olive oil, avocado, fish, nuts, and eggs!
11. Mental Health
One study of infertility patients determined that 76% of women and 61% of men reported significant symptoms of anxiety. 56% of women and 32% of men reported significant symptoms of depression. If this describes you, you are not alone.
12. Donor Sperm
Why use a sperm donor to get pregnant? Heterosexual couples experiencing infertility, lesbian couples, and an increasing number of single women who have decided to become independent parents, are all great candidates for sperm donation.