Think You Have Time? Here’s What Every Woman Should Know About Egg Quality First

“I still have time,” it’s a phrase fertility specialists hear very often. There are several women who suppose that when their monthly menstrual periods are normal and they feel well, then they are fertile. Nonetheless, the time of reproduction is not always observable in reproductive biology.

In an exclusive interaction with the editorial team of Onlymyhealth, Dr Prachi Benara, Fertility Specialist, Birla Fertility & IVF, Gurgaon, explained that the quality and quantity of eggs decrease with age in a gradual but definite way. This natural process normally starts at the early thirties and becomes more noticeable after the age of 35, often without obvious symptoms

Understanding Egg Quality and Quantity

Women are born with a fixed number of eggs. With time, the quantity, quantity and the health of these eggs reduce.

Dr Benara explained that ovarian reserve markers, such as Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH), naturally decrease with age. A lower AMH level reflects a reduced number of eggs available for conception. Although this is a natural process that is necessary, a lot of women do not realise how gradually it is happening.

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Why Age-Related Fertility Decline Is Silent

One of the most challenging aspects of fertility decline is that it is often silent. The symptoms are typically asymptomatic. Periods may remain regular, and overall health may feel unchanged.

Dr Benara pointed out that many women only discover reduced fertility potential after trying to conceive for some time without success.

Besides having less eggs, age increases also influence the genetic competence of eggs. This means that older eggs are more likely to have chromosomal abnormalities, which can affect embryo development and increase the risk of miscarriage.

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Dr Benara emphasised that this conversation is not aimed at instilling fear but rather being aware. “When women know more about fertility and age, it becomes easier to make a well-informed choice regarding career planning, relationships, and family objectives.

Awareness provides choice. Without information, decisions may be delayed unintentionally,” she said.

Importance of Fertility Testing

Even the simplest fertility tests can provide a lot of reference to reproductive health. Here are a few basic tests recommended by Dr Benara:

1. AMH test, which is an ovarian reserve test.
2. Antral Follicle Count (AFC) via ultrasound, which estimates the number of developing follicles in the ovaries

Such tests fail to specify the precise likelihood of pregnancy but give one a better idea of how fertile they will be at a particular time. "With this information, women can consider different options depending on their life stage and plans," she shared.

Tips for Exploring Your Options

Depending on individual goals and timelines, options may include:

• Planned conception
• Egg freezing for fertility preservation
• Assisted reproductive technology, like IVF

According to Dr Banera, biology follows its own timeline, even when life plans do not. Phrases like “I still have time” can at times lead to false security unless they are backed by medical knowledge. Being conscious is not being urgent or pressured to enable women to prioritise their decisions.

Bottomline

Fertility decline is gradual and silent. Experts suggest that having the right information at the right time helps women to approach family planning with clarity, confidence, and more control.