Most of us learn how our bodies work and how babies are made in school subjects such as biology and sex education. However, these subjects only cover the basics. There are lots of other fascinating fertility facts about females that you may be surprised to learn!

Read on for five fantastic female facts provided by a Fertility clinic in London…

At birth, a female baby has around one to two million eggs!

However, by puberty that reduces to only three hundred thousand. Of these, only about five hundred will be ovulated during a woman’s reproductive lifetime. This is the reason why female fertility decreases as a woman ages.

Fertility peaks between the ages of 22 and 26

This can be surprising news, but the latest research shows that female fertility begins to decline from the age of 27. While the majority of 30-year-olds will conceive within a year, it’s important to remember that fertility rates do peak during the 20s and conception and pregnancy will be consistently more difficult from that age.

Excessive exercise can affect a woman’s menstrual cycle and prevent pregnancy

Although it is true that exercise can improve fertility in overweight women, it can have a reverse effect on women of a healthy weight. It is, therefore, a good idea to try to limit strenuous activities, such as running or aerobics, to less than four hours per week if you have reached the ideal weight for your height and age.

Smoking during pregnancy can affect your baby’s own fertility

It is no secret that smoking during pregnancy can cause serious health problems for babies; including preterm birth, low birth weight, and birth defects of the mouth and lip; but did you know that it can also affect your baby’s own future fertility too? Studies have also shown that mothers who smoke while pregnant and breastfeeding may be harming their chances of having grandchildren!

Ovulation day is not necessarily the best day to try to conceive a child

A woman is fertile for a period of six days, beginning five days before ovulation day (when the egg is released from the ovary). To increase your chances of conceiving you may wish to consider using ovulation kits because they let you know when you are about to ovulate. Having sex two days prior to ovulation offers the greatest chance of conception.