1. Is it possible to become pregnant naturally at an older reproductive age?
Female fertility declines with age. This decline becomes more noticeable after the age of 35 and continues throughout the reproductive years.
Age is also an important factor affecting IVF outcomes. For women planning pregnancy at an older reproductive age, fertility assessment and treatment options should therefore be considered individually.
2. Can body weight affect fertility?
Body weight can affect reproductive health. Both low and high body weight may be associated with changes in ovulation and hormonal balance in some women.
Maintaining a healthy body weight is important for both general and reproductive health.
3. What are the main factors that affect fertility?
Factors that may affect fertility include:
Age
Genetic factors
Hormone levels and ovulation
Anatomical or gynecologic factors
Medical history and previous surgery
Smoking, body weight and other lifestyle factors
Male reproductive health and sperm characteristics are also important when assessing a couple's fertility.
4. Can fibroids affect fertility?
Not all fibroids affect fertility. Their location, size, number and relationship to the uterine cavity are important.
Certain fibroids, particularly those affecting the uterine cavity, may interfere with conception or pregnancy. Whether treatment is needed should be assessed individually.
5. When should you seek a fertility evaluation?
For women under 35, a fertility evaluation is generally recommended when pregnancy has not occurred after 12 months of regular unprotected intercourse.
For women aged 35 and older, evaluation may be considered after 6 months.
Earlier assessment may be appropriate when there are known factors such as irregular menstrual cycles, diminished ovarian reserve, endometriosis, tubal disease or male-factor infertility.
6. Is there an age limit for IVF?
Whether IVF is appropriate cannot be determined by age alone. Ovarian reserve, general health, potential pregnancy-related risks and applicable regulations should all be considered.
As reproductive age advances, the likelihood of pregnancy using a woman's own eggs generally decreases as both the number and quality of oocytes decline.
7. What is ICSI?
Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) is a laboratory technique in which a single selected sperm is injected directly into an egg.
It may be used in certain situations involving low sperm count, reduced sperm motility or other sperm-related factors.
8. What is IVF?
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is an assisted reproductive treatment in which eggs retrieved from the ovaries are fertilized with sperm in the laboratory. A resulting embryo may subsequently be transferred into the uterus.
9. What is the difference between IVF and ICSI?
In conventional IVF, eggs and sperm are placed together in the laboratory and fertilization is allowed to occur without direct injection of sperm into the egg.
With ICSI, a single selected sperm is injected directly into the egg.
The method used is determined according to the couple's individual circumstances and laboratory assessment.
10. Can ICSI be used when sperm count is low?
ICSI may be considered in some cases of male-factor infertility involving a low sperm count.
The decision is not based on sperm count alone. Sperm motility, morphology and other clinical and laboratory findings are also considered.
11. What happens if no sperm are found in the semen?
The absence of sperm in the ejaculate is known as azoospermia.
Depending on the underlying cause, surgical sperm retrieval may be considered in some patients. The appropriate approach is determined following urologic and reproductive evaluation.
12. Is egg retrieval painful?
Egg retrieval is generally performed under sedation or anesthesia.
Some patients may experience mild pelvic or abdominal discomfort, cramping or a feeling of fullness afterward. The duration and severity of these symptoms vary between individuals.
Do you have additional questions?
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