"The average age of women coming to our center for treatment has reached 37 years old, and it has increased by almost one year every year in recent years." Faced with the data revealed by the Lancet study that "the infertility rate of couples of childbearing age in my country has increased from 12% in 2007 to 18% in 2020", the founder and chief of the Reproductive Medicine Center of the Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University Professor Liang Xiaoyan, a physician, expressed the most intuitive feeling on the clinical front line-the infertile population is showing a significant trend of aging and complexity. This means that about one in every 5-6 couples of childbearing age are facing fertility difficulties, with the total number of patients exceeding 50 million.

1. Misalignment of social clock and physiological clock: Late marriage and late childbearing are the primary driving force
The case treated by Professor Liang Xiaoyan is quite representative: a 45-year-old woman who indefinitely postponed her family planning when she was young due to career development. When she finally considered personal problems, her ovarian function had seriously declined and she regretted it too late. This is not an exception. With the popularization of higher education, women's career development, and changes in marriage and love concepts, the significant delay in the age of first childbearing has become a common social phenomenon. However, women's ovarian reserves and egg quality will decline precipitously after the age of 35, and fertility will drop sharply. The "time difference" between social plans and physiological laws is a structural reason for the increase in infertility rates.
Second, the "invisible debt" of modern lifestyle

In addition to age, ubiquitous lifestyle risks are also quietly eroding fertility.
In addition to age, the risks associated with various lifestyles are also gradually eroding fertility levels.
Bad habits:,,.Smoking and alcohol abuse directly damage germ cells and reduce the quality of eggs and sperm.
Nutrition and Body Weight:.Obesity can easily induce polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), while low weight can lead to amenorrhea, both of which hinder normal ovulation.
:The fast-paced society brings about continuous anxiety and depression. These emotions can affect the normal secretion of sex hormones through the neuroendocrine system, thereby becoming a potential cause of infertility.
3. The superimposed influence of environment and unknown factors

Environmental pollution: Pollutants in the air and water, as well as environmental endocrine disruptors such as plasticizers and pesticide residues that are in daily contact, may directly or indirectly affect the function of the reproductive system and damage the health of gametes (eggs and sperm).
Environmental pollution:Pollutants in air and water, as well as environmental endocrine disruptors such as plasticizers and pesticide residues, can directly or indirectly affect the function of the reproductive system, thereby damaging the health of gametes (eggs and sperm).
Changes in the disease spectrum:,,,.At the same time, problems such as oligospermia and asthenospermia in men have become increasingly prominent, accounting for about 30% of the causes of infertility.
Repeat induced abortions:Multiple abortions may damage the basal layer of the endometrium, leading to intrauterine adhesions and chronic endometritis. These conditions can become obstacles to future pregnancy.
4. Coping strategies: The transformation from cognition to action

In the face of severe situations, passive anxiety is not as good as proactive response.
,.Professor Liang Xiaoyan strongly recommends that women should conduct fertility assessments as soon as possible to understand their own "ovarian reserves." The assessment methods are simple, such as anti-Muller's hormone (AMH) testing and pelvic B-ultrasound monitoring of antral follicle counts, which can clearly reflect fertility potential.
,(),(,)“”.Professor Liang likened this to "planting the seeds of life in advance." Although current domestic policies still impose restrictions on freezing eggs for healthy single women, relevant discussions and calls have never stopped.
In addition, adopting a healthy lifestyle, managing weight effectively, reducing stress levels, and avoiding exposure to harmful substances are all actions that everyone can take immediately to protect their fertility.