The age of first marriage for Vietnamese people is currently 27.3 years old, an increase of 2.1 years compared to 2019. In urban areas, this number is 28.5 years old, about 2 years higher than in rural areas.
Late marriage does not mean infertility, but delaying childbirth can narrow the favorable time for fertility, especially in women.
MSc.BS Nguyen Quoc Anh - Director of the Center for Reproductive Support and Vietnam-American Andrology, Vietnam-American General Hospital (HCMC), said that age and reproductive age are not completely the same. In women, the number and quality of eggs gradually decrease with age. After 35 years old, the chance of natural pregnancy decreases, while the risk of miscarriage and chromosomal abnormalities of the embryo increases.
Postponing childbirth is the choice of each person and each family. However, if you plan to have children late, you should understand your fertility in advance," said Dr. Quoc Anh.
According to doctors, pre-marital health check-ups help assess reproductive health and proactively plan parenting. Infertility can originate from men, women, both or cause cannot be identified.
In women, common causes include ovulation disorders, fallopian tube diseases, endometriosis, and reduced ovarian reserves. In men, poor sperm quality, varicocele, endocrine disorders, or testicular dysfunction can occur.
According to the Ministry of Health, research on more than 14,000 couples in 8 provinces and cities recorded an infertility rate of about 7.7%, equivalent to 700,000-1 million couples.
Dr. Quoc Anh recommends assessing reproductive health in both husband and wife. For women planning to have children after the age of 35, early counseling helps assess fertility and proactively plan appropriately.
