---
title: "Reproductive Health During Wartime: How Age, Lifestyle, and Modern Medicine Affect the Ability to Become a Parent"
description: "Specialists from the Dakhno Institute of Reproductive Medicine explained how age, ovarian reserve, the male factor, and lifestyle affect fertility, and why early diagnostics helps preserve the chance of parenthood even in unstable conditions."
date: 2026-10-27T07:06:30.399Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/reproductive-health-fertility-pregnancy-planning
tags: [reproductive-health, fertility, pregnancy-planning, male-fertility, ovarian-reserve, spermogram, reproductive-medicine]
author: "Inna Kinsheva"
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Reproductive Health During Wartime: How Age, Lifestyle, and Modern Medicine Affect the Ability to Become a Parent

![A happy couple hugging and holding an ultrasound scan while planning a pregnancy at home](https://xab.info/media/2026/10/27/reproduktivnoe-zdorove-ferilnost-planirovanie-beremennosti/reproduktivnoe-zdorove-ferilnost-planirovanie-beremennosti-1.webp)

## Key Points

- Female fertility declines noticeably after 35; ovarian reserve is assessed via ultrasound and AMH levels, but these indicators do not precisely predict natural conception.
- The male factor in infertility is often hidden: spermatogenesis disorders usually have no symptoms and are detected only through a spermiogram.
- Smoking, alcohol, obesity, and anabolic steroids worsen sperm quality; many disorders are amenable to medical or surgical correction.
- Specialists recommend first thinking about reproductive health around the age of 30 and not delaying diagnostics for both partners.

The war has reshaped the plans of millions of Ukrainians: some strive to have a child as soon as possible, while others postpone parenthood due to instability, separation from a partner, or uncertainty about the future. At the same time, reproductive health requires attention regardless of external circumstances. Specialists from the Dakhno Institute of Reproductive Medicine, who prepared a practical guide for Wave RBC.UA, emphasize that understanding how age, the condition of both partners, and lifestyle affect fertility makes it possible not to miss the window of opportunity and consult a reproductologist in a timely manner.

### Female Fertility and the Age Factor

One of the key factors in female fertility is age. Unlike men, whose sperm are produced throughout their lives, women are born with a limited supply of eggs. Over the years, their number gradually decreases, and their quality changes. The decline in fertility becomes especially noticeable after the age of 35, and after 40 the chances of natural conception drop even more significantly. However, age is not the only determining factor: endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, thyroid diseases, ovulation disorders, previous surgeries, and the condition of the fallopian tubes all affect the ability to get pregnant. "I recommend thinking about your reproductive health for the first time around the age of 30 — especially if parenthood is currently being postponed," advises Andrii Serbin, medical director of the Dakhno Institute of Reproductive Medicine, obstetrician-gynecologist, and reproductologist.

### Ovarian Reserve: What It Shows and What It Doesn't Show

An important concept that patients of reproductologists regularly encounter is ovarian reserve, meaning the supply of eggs in the ovaries. It is assessed using ultrasound with an antral follicle count and a blood test for anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH). However, as specialists clarify, these indicators are not a test capable of accurately predicting natural conception or determining the age of menopause onset. They help the doctor assess the condition of the ovaries, particularly before using assisted reproductive technologies. "It's simply harder to help achieve pregnancy with age, so it's better to know your capabilities in advance," adds Andrii Serbin. At the same time, pregnancy remains possible even after 40: the main thing is to take into account individual bodily characteristics and consult specialists in a timely manner. "Fertile age is only a part of life, a real window of opportunity, and it is not infinite," notes Vira Sirenko, PhD in Medical Sciences, reproductologist at the Dakhno Institute.

### The Male Factor: Hidden Causes and the Role of Lifestyle

When pregnancy does not occur for a long time, attention is often focused exclusively on the woman's health. However, the male factor plays a significant role in conception issues. Sperm quality is affected by hormonal disorders, inflammatory processes, varicocele, past injuries, and certain diseases. Lifestyle also matters: smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, obesity, and the use of anabolic steroids can worsen reproductive parameters. At the same time, a man may have no complaints and may not even suspect any impairment. "However, spermatogenesis disorders mostly have no symptoms and only manifest in test results," explains Anton Kutsenko, PhD in Medical Sciences, urologist-andrologist, and general director of the Dakhno Institute of Reproductive Medicine.

### Diagnostics and Treatment: From Spermiogram to Correction

That is why one of the first stages of diagnostics is a spermiogram — a laboratory study that makes it possible to assess the sperm count, motility, and other characteristics. If necessary, the urologist-andrologist prescribes additional tests: hormone analyses, ultrasound, or genetic tests. "A spermiogram is a fast, non-invasive, and highly informative study," notes Anton Kutsenko. According to the doctor, many male fertility disorders are treatable: sometimes a lifestyle change is enough, while in other cases medical or surgical treatment is required. "Many conditions affecting sperm quality are treatable through hormonal correction, surgical treatment of varicocele, or lifestyle changes," the andrologist adds.

### Preparing for Pregnancy: What Truly Matters

Preparing for pregnancy does not mean needing to take dozens of tests. First of all, it is important to assess the overall health of both partners, rule out chronic diseases, and undergo targeted diagnostics if necessary. Specialists at the Dakhno Institute emphasize that early consultation with a reproductologist is not a sign of pathology, but a conscious step that allows you to save time and chances for natural or assisted conception. In conditions where future plans can change unpredictably, knowing one's own reproductive health becomes not a luxury, but a practical tool for decision-making.

## Fact-Check & Sources

- [Репродуктивное здоровье во время войны: что важно знать о фертильности, планировании беременности и современных возможностях медицины.](https://wave.rbc.ua/ukr/wellness/reproduktivne-zdorov-ya-pid-chas-viyni-shcho-1793011033.html) - Primary source: practical guide by the Dakhno Institute of Reproductive Medicine. All specialist quotes (A. Serbin, V. Sirenko, A. Kutsenko) and medical facts are taken from this material. No discrepancies with other sources were found.

## FAQ

### At what age should a woman first assess her reproductive health?

According to the recommendation of Andrii Serbin, medical director of the Dakhno Institute, one should first think about reproductive health around the age of 30, especially if plans for parenthood are currently being postponed.

### What is ovarian reserve and how is it assessed?

Ovarian reserve is the supply of eggs in the ovaries. It is assessed using ultrasound with an antral follicle count and a blood test for anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH). These indicators help the doctor assess the condition of the ovaries, but do not precisely predict natural conception or the age of menopause.

### Is it possible to get pregnant after 40?

Yes, pregnancy remains possible even after 40. Specialists emphasize that it is important to consider individual bodily characteristics and consult a reproductologist in a timely manner if necessary.

### What factors worsen male fertility?

Sperm quality is affected by hormonal disorders, inflammatory processes, varicocele, past injuries, as well as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, obesity, and the use of anabolic steroids.

### Is a spermiogram the main diagnostic method for male infertility?

Yes. A spermiogram is a fast, non-invasive, and informative study that allows evaluating sperm count, motility, and other characteristics. If necessary, the doctor prescribes additional tests: hormonal, ultrasound, or genetic.

### Are male fertility disorders treatable?

According to urologist-andrologist Anton Kutsenko, many conditions affecting sperm quality can be treated through hormonal correction, surgical treatment of varicocele, and lifestyle changes.