Snack 79: Fertility Through the Decades: Middle School to Menopause

The Whole Pineapple

As anyone born with a uterus will tell you, living in a body equipped with one of these and all that goes with it comes with a special set of challenges. And many of us don’t really know all we need to know, so think of this episode as a sort of Owner’s Manual.

So what do we need to know through the decades of our life?

TEEN YEARS: Irregular periods are normal, but if they’re super problematic or painful, a discussion with your primary care provider or a gynecologist might be in order. Time to start screening for sexually transmitted diseases if you’re sexually active.

TWENTIES: Is it time to consider protecting your future fertility? This is prime time for fertility, but if you’re not ready yet, it might be good to at least consider what’s ahead.

THIRTIES: Do you know how large of a family you want? As you get into your mid- and late-30s, fertility can be more challenging — definitely know your options!

FORTIES: Celebrities having babies in their 40s should not convince you that you have plenty of time, especially if you’re wanting to use your own eggs to conceive. “Time is eggs!” as Anne says.

HINT: talk to a menopause specialist at this point – perimenopause is a critical stage of life for protecting your future health!

FIFTIES: Pregnancy is still possible, but celebrities at this age are most likely using frozen eggs or donor eggs.

SIXTIES: Pregnancy is probably not a concern, but STIs are, so protect yourself!

Obviously, this is just a hint of what Ruby and Anne have to share at each stage, so make sure to listen and share! And find more from our hosts at thewholepineapple.com.