Fertility Preservation – It’s Time to Talk about It!

Here in Los Angeles, many women are choosing to pursue their education and career before starting a family. And with egg freezing, women no longer need to choose between one world and the other – we can have it all!

In a recent survey of over 1,000 people conducted by RMA of Southern California, nearly 50 per cent of respondents said they were interested in freezing their eggs. That shows a high level of awareness about fertility preservation.

But there’s a bit of an issue, too – the same survey found that eight out of ten people never had a conversation about their fertility with their primary doctor without bringing it up first. That shows that people are getting their fertility education from outside the doctor’s office.

This may also explain why only 10 percent of people were aware of a woman’s peak fertility, which is during her mid to late 20s. After that, fertility begins a slow decline, and at 35 years old, fertility begins to decline significantly.

The survey findings point to one thing in particular: there needs to be greater awareness about infertility facts. Knowledge is power, after all.

 

At RMA of Southern California, we want our patients to know that there is an optimal time for fertility and fertility preservation. Despite what we see in the media about celebrities delivering well into their 40s and sometimes 50s, those cases are the exception, not the norm. As a woman ages, the quality of her eggs declines. So, when it comes to egg freezing, the earlier the better!

Curious to learn more? Speaking with one of our fertility specialists is the first step to making an informed decision about your options.

And if you’re not ready to talk to a specialist, start talking to others! Organizations like RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association, and social media groups such as FertiliTalk (found on Facebook) are great resources for information and help connect people hoping to start a dialogue about infertility.

We also encourage you to be your own advocate and speak with your doctor so you can make informed decisions about your fertility at the right time.