Although a large number of young people in China see a good career and strongfinancial foundations as the perfect conditions for having a child, medical professionalsargue that the only real indicator is the reproductive system, commonly referred to as the“biological clock”.
“Generally, women over 35 are more likely to encounter difficulties in conceiving,as well as more likely to suffer miscarriages or have babies with defects,” explained DongZiqiang, a professor and expert in fertility at Peking Union Medical College Hospital. “Formen, the older they get the more abnormal genes contained in their sperm, which cancause problems.”
Abortion caution
Couples who suffer primary infertility (meaning they have never been able toconceive) are usually left with only two realistic options: Adoption or in-vitro fertilization(IVF).
The latter is an expensive and stressful medical process (eggs are fertilized outside ofthe womb in a laboratory and then implanted in the mother) that is far from 100-percentsuccessful.
At the reproductive medicine center of Peking University’s No 3 Hospital, the successrate for IVF treatments involving women between 25 and 35 is only about 50 percent. Therate drops to 30 percent for over-35s and 10 percent for over-40s.
“Couples who have been trying to get pregnant for a year but have had no successshould go for a checkup as soon as possible,” said Dong. “The earlier they get treatment,the greater the chance they can be cured.”
Increases in the number of adolescent abortions could also lead to more secondaryinfertility (struggling to conceive after previously becoming pregnant) problems in thefuture.
A study of 1,236 sterility patients by Chongqing Family Planning Research Instituteshowed almost 60 percent of the women suffered infertility as a result of abortions ormedical abortions (a non-surgical procedure using drugs).
“Advances in technology greatly alleviate people’s suffering but also make peopleless alert,” said Liu Ping, deputy director of the reproductive medicine center at PekingUniversity’s No 3 Hospital.
“Many women believe medical abortions are more convenient and safe but they canbe more harmful (than traditional abortions),” he said. “Not only do they cause extensivebleeding and increase the risk of infection, they also affect the endocrine system, leading toirregular menstruation and influence ovulation.”
The situation is even more hazardous at the unlicensed abortion clinics often used byteenagers and poor families.
A man from Qinghai province who did not want to be identified told China Daily hiswife underwent two abortions and has now been diagnosed by doctors as sterile.
The couple, who got wed in 2001, has visited almost every hospital in the farnorthwestern province and recently arrived in Beijing in the hope of finding a specialistwho can help.
“We are both 37 years old and the chance of us having a child is very slim,” said thehusband. “We want to try IVF but the doctors say the success rate would be just as slim.
“Do we regret the abortion? Yes,” he admitted. “If we hadn’t gone through with them,my wife and I would have a child of 8 now.”
Diets and disease
Although primary infertility is increasing at a relatively slow rate, sterility caused byenvironmental pollution has seen a rapid rise, particularly among men.
Statistics from the World Health Organization suggests the quality of sperm isdeclining, with the amount produced worldwide falling by 40 percent compared to that of70 years ago.
“Food companies now rely on the extensive use of hormones and additives toimprove the taste and color of products, such as poultry and out-of-season vegetables,”
said professor Yuan. “Meanwhile, water, air and heavy metal pollution all gradually affectpeople’s health and fertility.”
The shift toward more liberal views about sex, which some experts say has resulted inrampant prostitution, one-night stands and extramarital affairs, has also brought with it anincrease in reported cases of sexually transmitted disease, another major cause of infertility.
Men can also damage their chances of reproducing by wearing underwear that is tootight or simply sitting at work for long hours.
Medical experts advise men and women maintain a healthy lifestyle by getting plentyof exercise and eating a balanced diet. However, psychology is also important.
“I’ve met many couples who have no problems at all but they are still finding it hardfulfilling their parents’ dream (of having grandchildren),” said Liu at Peking University’sNo 3 Hospital. “It could be related to work pressure or mental stress.”
Psychological stress can have a negative impact on a man’s sperm count and a woman’sovarian function.
Infertility patients should learn self-regulation and maintain a positive and optimisticattitude toward life, advised Liu, who added: “Sterility is not fatal, so by releasing pressureand actively cooperating with treatment … most patients can be cured.”
For Chen and Wang in Shanghai, their determination finally paid off this year. Afterenduring five months of various Western and traditional Chinese treatments at PekingUnion Medical College Hospital, the couple discovered in June that Wang is pregnant.
FIRST PERSON | LI MIAO
‘Abortion may have ruined my dreams of motherhood’
Editor’s note: Li Miao (not her real name), 36, is a senior manager at a well-known IT companyin Beijing.
I enjoy almost everything a woman dreams about: A loving husband, a goodjob and a big house. But I’ll never be happy until I have achieved my dream tobecome a mother.
When I was 26, I got my graduate degree. It was not easy, and shortly after Igot an offer from the IT company I now work for. I cherished the job and I vowedto make a go of my career.
I got married the next year - my husband teaches at college - and althoughwe used contraception, we quickly learned I was pregnant. It was a shock.