When people talk about female infertility, most people assume that it’s something only women in their late 30s and early 40s have to deal with. While it’s true that female fertility declines naturally as we age, this sentiment can unintentionally deceive younger women into thinking that they don’t have to think about their fertility health unless they’re actively trying to conceive.
Even if you’re not planning on getting pregnant anytime soon, being proactive about your reproductive health now while you’re young can be beneficial for you later down the road, should you ever choose to build a family. In honor of National Infertility Awareness Week (NIAW), which takes place April 19-25 this year, we’re reviewing what younger women need to know about fertility and what they can do to sustain their fertility health.
Facts About Fertility
It’s important to realize that infertility can happen at any age. There are many factors that can induce infertility in younger women, including the following:
- Infertility can be caused by certain medical conditions, such as endometriosis, a condition in which tissue from the uterus grows outside of the womb. Although this condition is somewhat common, it’s frequently undetected or misdiagnosed due to the fact that many of the symptoms are similar to symptoms of other conditions.
- Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) can sometimes cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) or even permanent damage to reproductive organs, which can lead to infertility.
- Problems with the ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, and other sexual organs can impact women at any age. Everyone is biologically different, and it’s unwise to assume that everything is fine just because of your age.
- Lifestyle factors can have a huge impact on your fertility when you’re younger, especially excessive consumption of alcohol, smoking, and poor eating habits.
How Younger Women Can Maintain Their Fertility Health
Whether you want to eventually have a child or not, taking care of your fertility health is an investment in your overall well-being. Almost all of the tips for managing your fertility health are applicable to achieving general wellness. These tips include:
- Establishing a healthy lifestyle, which means eating nutritious foods, engaging in regular physical activity, limiting alcohol and caffeine consumption, and not smoking
- Tracking your menstrual cycles, which can help you identify any disruptions to your regular patterns
- Always practicing safe sex
- Becoming educated about female sexual health and fertility
- Being diligent in scheduling and attending your annual gynecological exam
Be Proactive, Be Healthy
Taking care of your fertility health while you’re younger is one of the most empowering things you can do. This year, use NIAW to help you think about how you can move forward toward a healthier lifestyle. For more advice on how to take care of your female health, please contact Pacific Gynecology and Obstetrics Medical Group.
