Getting pregnant doesn’t always happen straight away. It is an amazing experience, but what most couples don’t realise is that it’s more complicated than it seems. Over the past three decades, fertility science has helped millions of couples overcome their difficulties and have a family of their own1. Depending on what is causing your fertility problems, there are a range of tips and treatments available to help you to have children.
You may need more time, and if it doesn’t happen after a given number of months, the couple may need medical assistance or more advanced treatment. But with the right support, many couples may be able to achieve their dream of having a child.
Fertility can be a challenging subject and acknowledging that you may need some assistance can be painful. However, seeking help to conceive is a brave and positive step forward. As age has a strong impact on fertility (with a woman’s fertility decreasing as she gets older)2, the sooner you seek help the closer you can be to having a baby of your own.
There is always great comfort in knowing that you are not alone. In 2020, the total fertility rate (TFR) was at 1.7 in Malaysia6 and 1.1 in Singapore7. Following the trends of the past decades, it is expected to fall even further. This TFR score refers to the number of successful babies being born per woman in her reproductive years, and compared to about 4 decades ago this number has dropped significantly in both countries, signalling potential fertility issues.
So, if you’ve been looking for answers and support in your journey to become pregnant, here’s where you can get help! In fact, why not check your fertility status now, by taking our questionnaire?
We have the information and resources about treatment options you need to find the nearest fertility expert. Seek the advice of an expert now so that you know your next step in starting your family!
Infertility is medically defined as the inability to conceive after 12 months of unprotected sex8.
However, if your partner is 35 years old or over, you or your partner may be considered infertile if you haven’t conceived after 6 months of unprotected sex. Infertility may take place due to medical reasons like ovulation disorders, pre-existing conditions or even other reasons like stress, age, or a combination of factors.
Sometimes, a couple who has already had a child can have trouble conceiving again. This is called secondary infertility.
Conceiving isn’t easy — even for women at their most fertile age. While men stay fertile for a longer period than women, the quality and number of their sperm substantially decline with age9 10.
Women are born with around
1–2 million eggs. This number
continually declines from
birth11. At 37 years old, there
are around 25,000 eggs left12
as a woman ages, there’s a
greater chance that her eggs
will have an abnormal number
of chromosomes which can
affect the health of embryos13
As time passes, the
reproductive system is more
exposed to diseases that can
affect fertility, such as
endometriosis15
A woman’s menstrual cycle
can become shorter and
irregular with age14
This may mean that you have
sex less frequently as you get
older16
This is because as women get older, the number of eggs decreases, which in turn, lowers the chances of pregnancy. Around 1 in 4 women will get pregnant in any single menstrual cycle for healthy couples in their 20s and early 20s. Unfortunately, by age 40, the number drops to 1 in 10 women getting pregnant per menstrual cycle. As for men, fertility declines in increasingly noticeable amounts after the age of 55. In other words, if you aren’t quite sure if you’ve got a problem, please consult a fertility specialist sooner than later! The earlier you go the more options you will have.
Testosterone is critical in sperm production and is a key hormone for male fertility. Reduced testosterone leads to reduced sperm, affecting the chances of fertilisation of the oocytes leading to infertility.Erectile dysfunction – It might happen due to a mix of hormonal changes, physical or psychological factors.
Having difficulty ejaculating or a drop in volume of ejaculate is a sign of an underlying issue affecting male fertility.
Swollen, painful or tender testicles may be caused by an infection, which can impact sperm quality, therefore a cause for infertility.
A few causes of infertility may include:
Causes for infertility for males include:
Unlike women, whose fertility significantly declines after the age of 35, men’s fertility doesn’t decline until they are much older. Although sperm quality deteriorates as men age, this does not create a problem until after the age of 6032.
Learn more about how age can impact your fertility, and why it’s best to seek advice to conceive as early as possible. If you’re here looking for answers and support for fertility issues, then jump straight into our Getting Help section, where you’ll find information and resources about treatment options available.
Disclaimer : The information provided by Merck is not a substitute for professional medical care or advice and intended for educational purposes only and should be used only as an aid in understanding the medical condition and treatment. A physician or another healthcare professional should always be consulted for any health problem or medical condition.
