{"id":2523,"date":"2019-11-25T23:40:22","date_gmt":"2019-11-25T23:40:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eggdonor.com\/?p=2523"},"modified":"2021-01-25T20:53:58","modified_gmt":"2021-01-25T20:53:58","slug":"fertility-and-the-egg-timer-test","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eggdonor.com\/fertility-and-the-egg-timer-test\/","title":{"rendered":"Fertility and the \u201cEgg Timer\u201d Test"},"content":{"rendered":"

As women, we are born with a finite number of eggs, and as we mature those eggs degenerate and the quality of our eggs decline as well. One of the most important factors in determining your chance of achieving pregnancy is age. Generally speaking, fertility starts to decline when women are in their early 30s<\/a>, the rate of decline speeds up at around age 35 and by age 40 and beyond, the chance of pregnancy is slim and the risk of miscarriage high.<\/p>\n

Menopause marks the absolute end of the reproductive lifespan. The age of menopause varies between women but usually occurs between the ages of 45 and 55 years. Pregnancies in the ten years leading to menopause are rare.<\/p>\n

The age at which women are having their first baby is increasing and being pushed back 10-15 years. This in turn increases the risk<\/a> of age-related infertility<\/a>. Women who worry about their \u201cbiological clock\u201d ticking away, particularly single women, want to know how long they can wait without jeopardizing their chance of having a baby.<\/p>\n

Can women tell how long they have? <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Women are increasingly having the so-called \u201cegg timer\u201d test to get an idea of how much longer they have to achieve pregnancy. The authors of a recent Australian study<\/a> recommend women in their late 20s have the \u201cegg timer\u201d test at regular intervals to monitor their fertility potential.<\/p>\n

This is a blood test that measures a woman\u2019s level of anti-m\u00fcllerian hormone (AMH) which is linked to the number of eggs remaining in her ovaries. Higher levels mean more eggs are present, which theoretically means a higher fertility potential.<\/p>\n

But the \u201cegg timer\u201d test does not provide information about the quality of the eggs, which mostly depends on a woman\u2019s age.<\/p>\n

It is also expensive and research shows<\/a> it\u2019s not a reliable measure<\/a> of fertility potential<\/a> and can give false low readings<\/a> for women who use the contraceptive pill.<\/p>\n

Relying on the \u201cegg timer\u201d test for pregnancy planning can give women with normal or high readings a false sense of security about postponing childbearing and women with low readings unnecessary worry about their ability to have children. This might lead them to pay the significant cost associated with egg freezing.<\/p>\n

More education about age and fertility is needed<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Most Australians overestimate the reproductive lifespan<\/a> by about ten years. To improve the chance of people achieving their parenthood goal, particularly if this is to have two or more children, more awareness about the impact of age<\/a> on fertility is needed.<\/p>\n

The Australian government funded \u201cYour Fertility<\/a>\u201d program provides up-to-date, accessible and evidence-based information about the factors that affect fertility. Primary health care providers also have an important role to play<\/a> in educating people about the limitations of fertility.<\/p>\n

Men need to step up <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Discussions about timing of childbearing tend to focus on women but research shows<\/a> one of the main reasons<\/a> for later childbearing is women have trouble finding a male partner<\/a> willing to commit to parenthood.<\/p>\n

While men almost universally value parenthood, want and expect to become fathers, and aspire to have at least two children, most have inadequate knowledge about the limitations of female and male fertility and overestimate the chance<\/a> of spontaneous and assisted conception.<\/p>\n

Since childbearing and parenthood are shared endeavors, men who want children and have a partner need to be active participants in childbearing decision-making and avoid deferring the decision to have children to a time when the chance of achieving a pregnancy is diminished.<\/p>\n

Options for women who want children but don\u2019t have a partner <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Depending on their personal circumstances and age, women who want children but don\u2019t have a partner can consider the following \u201creproductive life planning\u201d options:<\/p>\n