So, is it possible to tell whether you're one of those women who will be able to get pregnant easily if you put it off until you are older, or whether you really ought to start trying as soon as you can if you want to have children eventually? Unfortunately, it is impossible to give any kind of definitive answer, but there are some indicators that may help you assess whether you are more at risk of having problems.
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Fertility indicators
Are your periods regular?
Women who have regular periods are more likely to ovulating, and less likely to be entering the perimenopause (the term given to the years which lead up to the menopause itself). If your periods are irregular or absent, this can suggest problems with your hormones, and may also be a symptom of polycystic ovary syndrome: a condition that can prevent normal ovulation. Very heavy bleeding is sometimes a symptom of fibroids, benign tumors that grow around the womb and which can affect your fertility.
The length of cycle is also relevant. Anything between 25 and 35 days is generally considered normal, and if you have a regular cycle of this kind of length you are more likely to be ovulating.
Have you had a sexually transmitted disease?
Women who've had chlamydia and gonorrhoea are at greater risk of having fertility problems, as is anyone who has had pelvic inflammatory disease, which is not always sexually transmitted. Many women with these infections experience no symptoms at all, and yet if they are left untreated they can lead to scarring in the ovaries or fallopian tubes, tubal blockages or ectopic pregnancy. Those most at risk of sexually transmitted disease are younger, sexually active women who have had multiple partners and who don't always use condoms.
Have you had surgery in your pelvic area?
If you have had surgery to remove an appendix or ovarian cyst, or any other kind of surgery on your womb, ovaries or fallopian tubes you may be more at risk of infertility, as this can leave scarring that may block the fallopian tubes.
Are you very overweight or underweight?
Being naturally slim or on the rounded side is not going to stop you getting pregnant, but weight problems can have serious consequences for your fertility. Women who are underweight often stop ovulating, and those who have a history of eating disorders will often find that their periods are affected. Equally, very overweight women may have ovulation problems, which make them less likely to conceive.
Doctors use the Body Mass Index, or BMI, to calculate whether people fall outside the healthy weight ranges for their height. If you want to work yours out, you divide your weight in kilograms by your height in metres squared (that's your height in metres multiplied by itself). If your maths isn't up to it, you can find lots of easy calculators on the Internet to work it out for you, where you just type in your weight and height. The general rule is that a BMI of over 30 or under 20 could affect your chances of conceiving.
BMI is a rather blunt instrument and doesn't take account of an individual's frame or muscle, which weighs more than fat. It is possible for a super-fit athlete to fall into the overweight bands by being extremely muscular, but this isn't an excuse that will apply to most of us. Generally a very high or low BMI does suggest we should look at our diet and levels of exercise.
Do you have endometriosis?
Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to the spongy womb lining is found elsewhere in the body, usually in the pelvic area around the ovaries and fallopian tubes. The most common symptoms are pelvic pain and irregular or heavy periods, although some women are unaware that they have the condition. Many women with endometriosis get pregnant without any problems at all, but it is estimated that between 30 and 40 per cent of sufferers have difficulty conceiving. To find out more, you can check out Help With Getting Pregnant Fast.
