I am not ready for a baby but want to understand my fertility health

You don’t need to be trying for a baby to take charge of your fertility health. Any factors that impact your general health are likely to also affect your fertility health so what you do now sets the foundation for your reproductive future.

While the effects of age on fertility are more pronounced in women, men also experience an age-related decline in fertility. If you are looking to fall pregnant in the future, it is important to understand how age impacts fertility at different stages of your life.

Female Fertility Timeline

Age 18-24	"Best age" to conceive from a physical standpoint
Age 25-30	Chance of getting pregnant without intervention remains steady
Age 31-55	Chances of conceiving are still high but odds will start to decline
Age 36-40	Greatest reduction in fertility, risks of chromosomal issues with eggs are higher
Age 41-45+	Chances of conceiving are low, body is preparing for menopause

Male Fertility Timeline

Puberty	Sperm production starts in the testes at puberty
Late teens to early 30s	This is the peak fertility period with high quality sperm
Late 30s	Sperm quality starts to decline gradually due to hormonal changes
Age 40-49	Fertility issues become more common and the risk of genetic abnormalities increases.
Age 50+	There is a noticeable drop in sperm quality and an increased risk of pregnancy complications and genetic abnormalities in offspring

Understanding your Fertility Health

Signs of Good Fertility Health in Women

Regular periods (every 21–35 days)
Mild to moderate premenstrual symptoms
Clear signs of ovulation (e.g. changes in cervical mucus, mild cramping)

Signs of Good Fertility Health in Men

Normal libido and erectile function
Healthy semen analysis (volume, motility, count)

What to Watch

There are some factors which may indicate issues with fertility. In women these include irregular or absent periods, severe menstrual pain, known reproductive health issues such as PCOS or endometriosis and a history of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). In men, STDs, erectile dysfunction or low libido could indicate an issue with fertility.