#NIAW2023: How Maternal Age Contributes to Infertility

Birth rates worldwide are hitting record low levels. Over 50% of the world’s population live in countries with a fertility rate below two children per woman.1 While infertility is not a women’s issue – it’s an everyone issue – female-factor infertility can be linked to the increase in maternal age.

This increase is partially a result of a trend toward delaying when families or individuals want to have children.1 The reasons for the delay to pregnancy include several positive developments that have led women to having more control over their decision of when to have children.

Educational opportunities, greater financial independence, and more control over their reproductive health are all positive reasons that women may delay parenthood.2 In CooperSurgical’s 2020 study of 217 clinicians across the US, UK, India, Spain, and Japan, 41% ranked increasing parental age as the most impactful development within fertility. Since 2000, birth rates have been on the rise for women aged 30 years or older while declining for women under 30. In fact, the average birth rate reported by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development for women in their 30-40s exceeded that of women 25-29.3 More women are having children later in life.

Infertility is not solely a women’s issue. 20-35% of cases are due to the female, 20-30% are due to the male, 24-40% are due to both partners and 10-20% have an unknown cause. But it is important to identify the factors that can lead to infertility in women so that those looking to build their families can make a plan. All women #DeserveToKnow how best to build their family, today and every day, for #GenerationsToCome.