How Age Affects Fertility: A Guide for Couples in Their 20s and 30s

ByRohan Sharma
Updated: 9 Jun 2025, 8:00 am

Your fertility is highest in your 20s and begins to decline in your 30s. Couples in their 20s often have better chances of natural conception, while those in their 30s may face more challenges. It’s crucial for you to be well-informed about how age affects biological changes, as this can help you plan better when trying to conceive and decide when to seek professional help.

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Understanding how age impacts fertility is important if you’re planning to start a family in your 20s or 30s. You might feel like there’s plenty of time, especially in your 20s, but fertility does change as you get older. Knowing how these changes occur can help you make informed decisions about your reproductive health.
In this article:
The goal is not to cause alarm but to provide clarity and perspective as you plan for the future.

Fertility in Your 20s

Your 20s are considered the prime time for fertility. You have the highest chances of natural conception and the lowest risks of complications. This is what you should know about fertility during this age:
  • High conception rates: In your 20s, you have a 20 to 30 per cent chance of conceiving each month. This high fertility is due to a larger reserve of high-quality eggs, which supports a greater possibility of successful natural pregnancies.
  • Low pregnancy risks: It is the safest time for pregnancy, with the lowest risks of miscarriage and chromosomal abnormalities in eggs. These factors contribute to healthier pregnancies and fewer complications compared to later years.
  • Potential difficulties: While egg quality is typically not an issue, some individuals may face challenges like decreased ovarian reserve, abnormalities in the fallopian tubes or uterus, or a partner with low sperm count. These obstacles can affect fertility even in this highly fertile stage.
Your lifestyle choices in your 20s also play a major role in shaping your long-term fertility. If you’re not ready to conceive yet, talk to your gynaecologist about fertility preservation options such as egg freezing.

Fertility in Your 30s

As you move into your 30s, fertility begins to decline gradually, with a more noticeable drop after age 35. This period requires greater awareness of your reproductive health, as biological changes start to have a more significant impact on fertility. Some of the key factors that may affect you during this age include:
  • Decline in conception rates: In your early 30s, your monthly chance of conceiving is around 20 per cent, but this drops to 15 per cent by age 35 and further to around 5 per cent by age 40. This decline affects natural conception and the success of assisted reproductive technologies like in vitro fertilisation (IVF).
  • Changes in egg quality and quantity: Females are born with a finite number of eggs, and the quantity and quality of these eggs decrease over time. A rapid decline occurs between ages 33 and 42. This leads to lower fertility rates and a higher risk of miscarriage due to age-related changes in egg health. Complications like gestational diabetes or high blood pressure also become more common after age 35.
  • Male fertility: Male fertility also declines with age, though more subtly. For men over 45, lower sperm motility and increased DNA fragmentation can extend the time it takes to conceive. These factors can also cause miscarriage and increase the chances of mental health or developmental disorders in children.
  • Fertility preservation: If you’re not planning to get pregnant soon, freezing your eggs before age 35 may help increase your chances later. However, it’s not a guaranteed solution. The success depends a lot on the quality of your eggs when they are frozen.
  • Secondary infertility: If you’ve already had one child, don’t assume conceiving again will be easy. Secondary infertility becomes more common in your 30s as both partners age. This challenge is less prevalent in your 20s due to higher fertility rates.
Your lifestyle choices are important in your 30s as well. If you have been using birth control pills for over five years or more, consult your gynaecologist about stopping them before trying to conceive.

Lifestyle Changes to Support Fertility

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is important in your 20s and 30s, but its impact becomes more pronounced as fertility declines. You can focus on these lifestyle changes to support your fertility:
  • Diet and nutrition: A diet rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals supports egg and sperm health. Avoid processed foods and focus on whole foods to improve fertility outcomes.
  • Exercise and weight management: Regular, moderate exercise supports hormonal balance. Maintaining a healthy BMI is especially important in your 30s when weight-related issues can complicate conception.
  • Manage stress: Practices like yoga, meditation, or other stress-relief methods are beneficial in the 20s and 30s.
  • Avoid harmful habits: Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption harm egg and sperm quality at any age. However, its impact is more noticeable in your 30s when fertility is already declining. You should also try to limit caffeine, particularly in your 20s, to break habits that could affect long-term reproductive health.

When to Seek Help from a Fertility Specialist

Knowing when to consult a fertility specialist can save valuable time. Early intervention can improve your chances of a successful pregnancy.
  • In your 20s: Try to conceive naturally for one year before seeking help, unless you have known risk factors like irregular periods, a family history of early menopause, pelvic abnormalities, or a partner with low sperm count. In these cases, consult a specialist immediately to address potential issues.
  • In your 30s: If you are aged between 30 and 34, try for one year before getting medical assistance. If you’re 35 to 39, consult a fertility specialist after 6 months of trying without success.
The opportunity to address fertility challenges decreases rapidly with age. Getting an early diagnosis and starting treatments like intrauterine insemination (IUI) or IVF can be more effective when started sooner.

Debunking Common Myths About Age and Fertility

Misinformation about fertility can lead to unrealistic expectations. Take a look at some common fertility myths and facts every couple in their 20s and 30s should know:
  1. Myth: Women can conceive easily as long as they’re menstruating.
Fertility begins declining in your late 20s, well before menopause, with a significant drop after age 35. Regular periods don’t guarantee easy conception.
  1. Myth: Men’s fertility does not decline with age.
Even though men produce sperm throughout life, their sperm quality declines after age 40. This affects conception rates and increases the risk of miscarriage or genetic issues.
  1. Myth: IVF fully overcomes age-related fertility decline.
IVF success rates are higher in your 20s and early 30s but drop after age 35 due to declining egg quality.
  1. Myth: Having one child guarantees easy future pregnancies.
Secondary infertility is common in your 30s, even if you’ve conceived before. This is due to age-related declines in egg and sperm quality.
Age is one of the main factors affecting your fertility, with your 20s offering the best chance for natural conception and fewer complications. As you move into your 30s, fertility slowly starts to decline, so it’s important to know about these changes and adopt healthy habits. If you face any challenges in conceiving, consult a fertility specialist to improve your pregnancy outcomes.

FAQs on How Age Affects Fertility: A Guide for Couples in Their 20s and 30s

  1. Can lifestyle changes really improve fertility?
    Yes, maintaining a healthy diet, regular exercise, managing stress, and avoiding smoking and alcohol can support better fertility.
  2. How long should I try to conceive before seeing a specialist?
    If you’re in your 20s or early 30s, try naturally for one year. If you’re over 35, consider consulting a specialist after 6 months of trying without success.
  3. Does IVF guarantee pregnancy regardless of age?
    No, IVF success rates decrease with age due to declining egg quality.
Disclaimer: Medically approved by Dr. Swati Jain, Associate Consultant, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Aakash healthcare.