Folate • Fear • Fertility
- Sana Lifestyle
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Your fertility is affected by everything from age, your partner’s age and sperm health, daily diet, BMI, stress and even pollution. Lifestyle factors like smoking, drinking and drugs might seem like obvious things to avoid, but did you know that excessive exercise, is also not a good idea when trying to fall pregnant? Let’s separate the facts from the fallacies.
Key Fertility Statistics for South African Women:
- Total Fertility Rate (TFR): 2.21 in 2025, falling from 2.78 in 2008.
- Average Rate: ~2.33–2.41 children per woman as of 2024.
- Births per Year: Approximately 1.2 million babies.
- Adolescent Fertility Rate: Declining but still a factor in the overall average.
- 2.1 children per woman (SA is slightly above this).
Demographic Drivers of Declining Fertility:
- Improved educational opportunities for women.
- More women are entering the workforce, delaying childbearing.
- High use of contraception, facilitated by well-established healthcare systems compared to other sub-Saharan nations.
- The rising cost of living in urban areas has reduced desired family sizes.
Contextual Population Dynamics:
- While still growing, the population is shifting to a higher median age of roughly 28.5 years.
- Roughly 34% of births are to women aged 30 and older, with this trend expected to increase.
- SA has one of the lowest fertility rates in sub-Saharan Africa.
New Research & Interventions:
- Ovarian Rejuvenation for women over 45, showing potential for natural conception using their own eggs.
- Research in 2024–2025 emphasises the positive impact of a Mediterranean diet and antioxidant-rich foods on egg quality and hormonal balance.
- AI in IVF.
- Counselling and cognitive-behavioural interventions have been shown to increase pregnancy rates in women undergoing IVF by reducing stress.
Did You Know?
- A 2026 study found that 59% of Gen Z women feel uninformed about their reproductive health.
- Only 54% of women can identify the “fertile window” (the 5 days before ovulation).
Consult with your gynaecologist for more information on your fertility or contact relevant doctors on our Practitioner Network.
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