Odds of Getting Pregnant by Age

Age is one of the central factors affecting people’s ability to conceive, and particularly persons who are  assigned female at birth (AFAB). AFAB individuals usually begin a gradual decline in fertility in their early 30s, with a more pronounced drop-off starting shortly before turning 40.

On the other hand, individuals assigned male at birth (AMAB) can potentially remain fertile their entire adult lives. However, erectile dysfunction can be experienced beginning around the age of 40. A decrease in sperm quality around the same time can have negative health outcomes for offspring.

We shall be discussing how age affects fertility and the odds of getting pregnant as one’s age increases. We shall also highlight the key factors that influence conception rates at different stages of life.

Assigned Female at Birth Fertility

Age is the central contributing factor to fertility for people born with a uterus. This is because naturally, the number of eggs remaining in the ovaries begin to decline. This can begin in the early 30s, with a steeper decline occurring toward the end of the 30s and early 40s.

This gradual decline in fertility presents unique challenges in a world where more than ever, individuals who can become pregnant are choosing to do so later in life. A study conducted in 2016 found that in America, the average age of individuals who can become pregnant, had risen from 21 to 25 at their first pregnancy. It also recorded a decrease in the number of pregnancies at, or before the age of 20 and an increase in the rate of pregnancies after the age of 35.

With more parents waiting until later in life to have children, there is an increase in relying on assisted reproductive technologies to meet this need. For those trying to conceive naturally, understanding the timeframe they have to work within is a very important piece of the puzzle.

While every individual is different, some general guidelines can give  clues into how the decline in fertility is age-based, without necessarily relying on individualized testing. A study on the impact of age on fertility offers insight into the likelihood of a pregnancy by decade in instances where a couple is consistently trying to conceive. Below are some findings:

Fertility in Your 20s

People born with a uterus are likely to be successful in conceiving a child with ease while they are in their 20s. During this time of their lives, there is an 85 percent chance of conceiving naturally within a year.

Fertility in Your Early 30s

As one begins their 30s, the likelihood of a pregnancy begins to drop, but not significantly. The previously mentioned study found that 75 percent of the individuals trying to conceive naturally were successful within a year of trying.

Fertility in Your Late 30s

The decline in fertility rate does continue fairly steadily throughout the rest of an individual’s 30s. However, the odds remain mostly positive. By the age of 35, a couple or individual trying to conceive naturally has a 66 percent chance of becoming pregnant within a year of trying.

Fertility in Your Early 40s

By the age of 40, there is a significant change and fertility begins to decline much more rapidly. Those attempting to get pregnant at age 40 still have a 44 percent chance of becoming pregnant within a year, but that percentage continues to drop with each consequent year.

In the late 30s and early 40s, the risk of miscarriages also begins to rise significantly. The study found that 27 percent of pregnancies in 40-year-olds ended in miscarriage, compared to a 16 percent miscarriage rate in individuals who are aged 30 or below.

Fertility in Your Mid-to-Late 40s

While it is not impossible to conceive naturally at age 45 or older, the chances begin to drop very low for most people. Within this age range, if a successful pregnancy is achieved, it is often through the use of some form of assisted reproductive technology.

Male Fertility

While age does play a significant role in fertility for everyone, it has an earlier and more significant effect on those born with a uterus, than those assigned male at birth.

A study on ageing and fertility in men found that there is a significant increase in the likelihood of erectile dysfunction in individuals, once they are over the age of 40. Still, many AMAB individuals remain fertile to some degree throughout their entire adult lives but the quality of their sperm declines with age.

The study concluded that in general,  the larger fertility risk for AMAB individuals is the potential harm to their offspring’s health due to the quality of sperm, rather than the ability to conceive at all.

In Summary

Age is a huge factor when it comes to fertility for everyone, particularly those assigned female at birth. Fertility levels gradually decline from puberty onward for AFAB individuals, but that decline becomes much more rapid in the late 30s and early 40s. For AMAB individuals, fertility can persist to some degree for their entire adult lives, but the decline in the quality of sperm could have concerning health outcomes for children.

No matter which age bracket you fall under on your fertility journey, the expert team at Nevada Fertility Center can be of assistance. Contact us at any one of our locations across the country. We are ready to assist you in your family planning journey.

Fertility FAQs

How many eggs are people born with?

A person assigned female at birth has the most eggs they will ever have in their ovaries before they are even born. Around 6 million eggs, or oocytes, are present during fetal development. This decreases to somewhere between 1 and 2 million eggs by the time of birth, with the total egg reserve typically dropping to somewhere around 300,000 oocytes by the time this individual hits puberty and begins to menstruate. 

When does fertility decline?

The NIH, on the age-related fertility decline, states that fertility declines throughout the entire period of early adulthood for individuals born with a uterus. A significant decline begins in the late 30s, with the likelihood of conceiving naturally dropping by nearly 25 percent between the ages of 35 and 40.

What age are people most fertile?

People assigned female at birth are most fertile in their late teens and early 20s. While those assigned male at birth are typically most fertile between 25 and 29.