A woman’s eggs are as old as she is: UBC researchers

Many B.C residents are waiting longer to conceive, and according to a new study, a lack of knowledge about fertility is exacerbating the growing trend.

UBC researchers found that 51 per cent of women and 66 per cent of men don’t realize that a woman’s eggs are as old as she is.

81 per cent of men and 73 per cent of women think incorrectly that for women over 30, overall health and fitness is a better indicator of fertility than age.

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And only 41 per cent of men and 43 per cent of women knew that a man’s age is an important factor in a couple’s chances of becoming pregnant.

Researchers say the study also revealed that the numbers are likely to rise in the coming years, as more couples delay child- bearing, and that can lead to costly procedures and complicated births.

“Even though people knew fertility declines with age, there’s a really strong belief that reproductive technology would be able to compensate,” said Dr. Judith Daniluk, UBC researcher. “So that whole notion of ‘if I’m not ready right now I’ll just do IVF’, not realizing that IVF is not going to provide the answers for a lot of people, particularly if they’re waiting until their late 30’s, even early to mid 40’s.”