Summary: While infertility often gets blamed on attempting pregnancy during later stages of life, fertility issues cross all ages and genders.While infertility often gets blamed on attempting pregnancy during later stages of life, fertility issues cross all ages and genders. One culprit is the decrease in sperm quality over the past few years, due to a variety of environmental, lifestyle and genetic factors. The concept of age-appropriate parenthood has also changed. Both men and women are waiting until later in life to have children. Whereas the Baby Boomer generation may have started a family mid-20s, now many couples are waiting until their 30s (or even later). "Am I fertile?" is one of the top questions asked of fertility doctors. Tests exist to asses infertile patients, but unless you're actively trying to get pregnant, there's really no determination of potent fertility. Your first "job" is to try. Having said that, if you're wanting to have children, but do not plan to start until your mid-30s, you may want to think about freezing your eggs or making embryos... particularly if you want two, three, or more kids. Jaime Knopman, MD, is the founder of Truly MD, a site dedicated to providing women with advice and information on their reproductive health, from fertility to pregnancy and beyond. Dr. Knopman joins Dr. Taz to discuss the current challenges of infertility, including advice on assessing AMH and FSH levels and the egg-freezing process.
