I Have Endometriosis. What Are My Treatment Options?
If you're among the millions of women in the United States who are struggling with endometriosis, you’re in need of solutions. Here, we review some of the top treatments.
5 Best Practices for Boosting Your Fertility After 35
The average age of first-time moms has been on the rise for many years in the United States, and it now stands at about 27.5. In part, this is due to first births for mothers in higher age ranges, which have risen quite a lot — more than 12% in women between the ages of 30 and 34 and 25% in women 35 and older.
If you’re 35 or older and you’re eager to get your family-building under way, the team at Kinwest OBGYN in Dallas and Irving, Texas, including Dr. Jose F. De Leon, can share a few great strategies to support your fertility.
Female infertility
When it comes to infertility, the issue can stem from the female side, the male side, or a combination of both, which can make fertility hard to pin down. Up to 15% of women in the US are struggling with infertility, and women in the 35- to 39-year-old age range have the highest risk.
The reason why age is such an influential factor is because with age, the number of eggs you have to work with declines, as does the quality of the eggs. Women in higher age ranges are also more likely to have developed gynecologic conditions that can interfere with fertility, such as endometriosis or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
Strategies to boost fertility
While age can be a hurdle, if you make an effort to optimize your fertility on other fronts, you can increase your chances for successful family-building later in your reproductive life. Some key efforts include:
1. Lose weight if you’re carrying too many pounds
About 40% of American adults have obesity, and among the many health concerns that come with carrying too many pounds is infertility. According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, having obesity can negatively impact:
- Ovulatory and menstrual function
- Natural fertility
- Fecundity rates
- Infertility treatment success rates
To improve your chances for conceiving, we suggest shedding any pounds that might stand in the way of your fertility.
2. Get tested regularly for sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
If you’re at risk for STIs, we recommend coming in for regular testing. One of the leading drivers of infertility are untreated infections that lead to pelvic inflammatory disease. Through STI screening, we can quickly test for infections; if we find one, we can clear it up quickly and get your fertility back on track.
3. Cut out the vices
If you smoke, take drugs, or drink alcohol, now’s the time to quit. Each of these, in their own way, can contribute to infertility.
4. Watch what you eat
Processed foods are full of ingredients that lead to system-wide inflammation in your body, which can disrupt your fertility. If you want to conceive, we suggest moving your diet away from processed and junk foods and toward unprocessed foods, including:
- Fruits and vegetables
- Lean proteins
- Nuts
- Whole grains
- Low-fat dairy
Improving your diet can pave the way toward better fertility.
5. Have us evaluate your fertility
For all women in their later reproductive years, we highly recommend coming to see us for a fertility evaluation so you know what you’re working with. Not only can we identify any potential issues, we can also come up with the best plan for optimizing your fertility.
The bottom line is that plenty of women successfully build families in their mid to late 30s, so there’s every reason to believe that you may be able to, as well.
To set up a fertility evaluation, contact Kinwest OBGYN today to schedule an appointment at the location most convenient to you.
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