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Published in General on Jan 17th 2020

Fertility Care in Your 20s: What You Need to Know

Thanks to modern medicine and evolving social norms, many young women are delaying pregnancy and family building in favor of focusing on careers and other personal goals. There are also some young women who are unsure whether they even want children at all and are happy to put off thinking about their fertility for the time being.

While it may be tempting to postpone it, fertility care isn’t something you should procrastinate about, regardless of what your current family aspirations are. Taking proper care of yourself now will not only potentially help you with any baby plans you may have in the future, but it will also help you take charge of your overall present wellness.

Fertility Facts for Women in Their 20s

At every age, there are certain truths about fertility that you need to be aware of. In your 20s, these truths include the following.

Being young doesn’t guarantee perfect fertility health. Everybody is biologically unique, which means that every woman’s egg quality decreases at different rates. While it’s true that your eggs are more likely to be in good shape when you’re in your 20s, it’s unwise to rely exclusively on this conventional wisdom.

Fertility can be impacted by certain medical conditions. Endometriosis in particular is something that younger women need to be aware of. Although the U.S. Office on Women’s Health estimates that more than 11% of women between the ages of 15 and 44 are affected by endometriosis, the condition is unfortunately underdiagnosed. This is because many of the symptoms associated with endometriosis are often mistakenly attributed to other issues.

Some sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), such as gonorrhea and chlamydia, can actually cause irreversible damage to your reproductive system. For women who are sexually active, it’s crucial to always practice safe sex and use protection. It also helps to get regularly screened for STDs, especially if you have multiple partners.

Lifestyle choices matter a lot when it comes to taking care of your fertility in your 20s. Making healthy lifestyle choices when you’re younger is not only good for you in general, but it’s also an investment in your future fertility. This includes eating predominantly nutritious foods, exercising regularly, moderating alcohol and caffeine consumption, not smoking, and maintaining a healthy weight.

The Importance of an Annual Gynecological Exam

A good way to stay ahead of the fertility game is to make sure you always have an annual well-woman exam. Doing so will empower you to have more control over your general health as well as help you remain proactive about any fertility concerns and risks you may have.

To schedule a well-woman visit in San Francisco, contact PWOG today.