Odds of Getting Pregnant by Age

Of the many factors that affect people’s ability to conceive, age is the most central factor. This is true especially for persons who are  assigned female at birth (AFAB). This is because AFAB individuals have a gradual decline in fertility once they reach early 30s, and this declines more significantly around the time they turn 40.

Although individuals assigned male at birth (AMAB) have the potential to remain fertile for the entirety of their adult lives, they can experience erectile dysfunction as they reach around age of 40. Additionally, sperm quality can decrease around the same time, causing negative health outcomes for any offspring sired.

We shall be discussing the role that age plays in relation to fertility, as well, what one’s chances are of getting pregnant as they get older. We shall also point out additional factors that impact conception rates at different stages of a person’s reproductive years.

Assigned Female at Birth Fertility

For people born with a uterus, age is the main factor affecting fertility. Naturally, the number of eggs in the ovaries declines, and this can begin in the early 30s. A steeper decline tends to occur toward the end of the 30s and into the early 40s.

In a time when people who can become pregnant are choosing to do it later in their lives, this natural decline in fertility presents new and unique challenges. In America, the average age of individuals who can become pregnant rose from 21 to 25 at the first pregnancy, while the number of pregnancies at or below the age of 20 decreased. Additionally, the number of pregnancies after the age of 35 increased. 

As more people begin building their families later in life, the need for assisted reproductive technologies (ART) has increased. However, not all individuals or couples wanting to have children will use ART therapies. Therefore if you want to conceive naturally, it is important to  understand the timeframe you have to work within.

With due acknowledgement of the differences between individuals, there are general guidelines that can demonstrate how the decline in fertility is based on a person’s age. This can offer insight into how likely a person is to become pregnant by decade, in the instance where couples are consistently trying to conceive. Below are some highlights:

Fertility in Your 20s

For those born with a uterus the likelihood of successfully conceiving a child is much easier in their 20s. There is an 85 percent chance of natural conception.

Fertility in Your Early 30s

The likelihood of pregnancy in the 30s begins to drop slightly. 75 percent of people trying to conceive naturally tend to be successful within a year of trying.

Fertility in Your Late 30s

Throughout the 30s, fertility continues to decline but the odds are still positive, with individuals around the age of 35 having a 66 percent chance of becoming pregnant within a year of trying.

Fertility in Your Early 40s

A significant change occurs at around age 40, and at this point, fertility declines much more rapidly. There is still a 44 percent chance of becoming pregnant within a year of trying, however, this steadily drops with each consequent year.

Another consideration is that the risk of miscarriages increases significantly for a person in their late 30s and early 40s, with the risk being 27 percent in 40-year-olds in comparison to 16 percent for those aged 30 or below.

Fertility in Your Mid-to-Late 40s

Typically, by this age, the chances of conceiving naturally are slim, with most individuals opting for assisted reproductive technology if they want to be successful.

Assigned Male At Birth Fertility

When it comes to individuals assigned male at birth (AMAB), the chances of having erectile dysfunction increases once they pass 40 years, but generally, they remain fertile to a degree for the majority of their adult lives. The only catch is that the quality of sperm declines as they age. In general, it would seem that  the risk for AMAB individuals when it comes to fertility is the potential of low quality sperm harming their offspring’s health.

In Summary

Age plays a huge role in fertility especially if you are assigned female at birth. While fertility levels generally decline once AFAB individuals reach puberty, the decline becomes much more pronounced as they get to their late 30s and early 40s. AMAB individuals can be fertile their entire adult lives, but low sperm quality raises concerns about the health outcomes of their children.

No matter your age, the expert team at Reproductive Partners Medical Group can assist you in exploring your family building options. Contact us at any one of our locations across the country. 

Fertility FAQs

How many eggs are people born with?

AFAB persons have around 6 million eggs, during fetal development. At their time of birth, they have between 1 and 2 million eggs. By the time they get to puberty and begin menstruating, this count is  around 300,000 oocytes. 

When does fertility decline?

NIH states that fertility declines throughout early adulthood for individuals born with a uterus. A significant decline is experienced in the late 30s, reducing the likelihood of conceiving naturally by almost 25 percent, between ages 35 and 40.

What age are people most fertile?

AFAB individuals are the most fertile in their late teens and early 20s. AMAB individuals are the most fertile between ages 25 and 29.