A new hormone test could revolutionise family planning and save hopeful parents expensive IVF treatments by predicting when a woman will no longer be able to have children.
The simple blood test could measure how fast a woman’s body clock is ticking and predict when the onset of the menopause is likely to start.
The breakthrough comes from researchers at St Andrews University who have been able to chart the levels of a vital fertility hormone in women of different ages. As well as giving women an insight to how long they will remain fertile, the test could potentially save couples thousands of pounds in expensive IVF treatments by predicting their chances of successful conception.
Research jointly carried out with scientists from Glasgow and Edinburgh universities compared hormone levels in 3,200 healthy women to show accurately how the range changed with age.
Doctors claim they will be able to use the results as a benchmark against which to measure others, indicating when they are likely to go through the menopause and how long they will remain fertile.
7 Ways To Boost Your Fertility
Know your cycle
Women are most fertile between days 10 and 16 of their cycle, with day one being the first day of their period. As sperm can stay alive in the female reproductive tract for up to three days, having sex every other day during this fertile time cis advisable. But as not everyone's cycle follows the same pattern, it's worth investing in an ovulation-testing kit which can help you to get in tune with your own body by measuring the hormone levels throughout your cycle and alerting you of your fertile days.
Stay in shape
Being underweight or overweight can cause problems in conceiving, whether you're a man or a woman. A healthy balanced diet and regular exercise will not only help you to control your weight it will reduce stress too - one of the major causes of infertility. Bear in mind that zinc-rich foods such as red meat and wholegrain cereal can also improve sperm quality.
Watch your wine intake
Research suggests that as little as five drinks a week can affect women's fertility. So while the occasional glass of wine is unlikely to affect your chances, it's wise to take it easy and definitely time to scrap the all-night drinking sessions.
Ditch the cigarettes
Smoking harms the fertility of both men and women. The damage is temporary in men, as they produce new sperm every 70 days. But if he keeps on smoking the sperm count will continue to be affected. And the story's worse for women. According to the British Medical Association, smoking can reduce a woman's chances of conceiving by up to 40 per cent.
Spice up your sex life
When you're trying for a baby, sex becomes something you have to do in order to achieve what you want, not just something you do for fun - particularly when you are timing things around your monthly cycle. But don't forget it was once the lifeblood of your relationship. Don't forget to enjoy your sex life outside your 'fertile days' too. An unhappy sex life can put strain on your relationship, leading to stress thus exacerbating the problem.
Get checked for STDs
Sexually transmitted infections, such as chlamydia, can harm fertility. If there is a possibility that you or your partner could be infected, it's important to get it checked out sooner rather than later. Make an appointment with your GP or visit your local STD clinic.
Tell him to keep cool
Certain things can inhibit a man's sperm. Sitting at a desk all day, for instance, can cause problems so encourage him to go for regular walks around the block while he's at work. Heat can also cause sperm damage. Ideally, testes should be one or two degrees cooler than the rest of the body so tell him to swap his tight briefs for boxers to allow air to circulate.