Over the past century, social progress has greatly altered the age at which women opt to have children. Whereas most women in the past gave birth in their early twenties or teens, the trend has since dramatically changed. Women in nations such as the U.S., South Korea, and in Europe are now delaying motherhood to well into their 30s. Indeed, the average age of first-time mothers in most OECD countries now stands at about 30.

But biology has not kept pace with society. Women's fertility is still tied to the natural aging of a woman's reproductive apparatus – something that modern medicine is always trying to get around. With career aspirations, education, and individual choice rewriting the schedules of motherhood, an urgent question presents itself: how far can we push back female fertility?

How Does The Biological Clock Work?

At the very center of female fertility is a game of numbers – one that is decided even before a girl is born. Women are born with a limited number of eggs, usually one million. By the time they reach puberty, this count drops to about 300,000. Of these, only some 300 to 400 will ever develop and get released during ovulation.

By age 37, egg stores decrease to around 25,000, and by age 51 – the average age of menopause in the United States – only 1,000 are left. Yet, ovulation and fertility do not necessarily persist up to menopause. In the majority of women, natural fertility declines sharply 7 to 10 years before, typically by the early 40s.

Though this fall has been around for some time, its raw statistics still stun: natural conception chances fall from about 25% per cycle during a woman's 20s to less than 5% per cycle by her 40s.

What Does the Egg Supply Do at Each Age?

More important than the declining egg quantity is the sharp decline in egg quality with advancing age. Each egg contains chromosomes that make up the DNA map for a new life. When egg quality falls, so does the chance for a successful pregnancy.

By age 30, nearly 25–30% of a woman’s eggs may carry chromosomal abnormalities. By 35, this rises to 40%, and after 40, it spikes dramatically. Studies show that beyond age 40, up to 75% of eggs may have abnormalities. Such eggs are less likely to fertilize, implant, or lead to a healthy baby.

The dangers posed by low quality of eggs are miscarriage, unsuccessful fertility treatment, and chromosomal abnormalities such as Down syndrome.

How Far Can Science Go in Extending Fertility?

With the help of improvements in assisted reproductive technologies (ART), the limits of biological fertility are gradually being extended. Methods like egg freezing (oocyte cryopreservation), in vitro fertilization (IVF), and the employment of donor eggs have helped many women give birth well into their 40s – and, in some instances, even their 50s.

Egg freezing, specifically, has been a game-changer. It enables women to save their younger, healthier eggs to use later in life. It's not a surefire insurance policy, though. Success is dependent on age at the time of freezing, number of eggs saved, and overall health.

Nevertheless, though technology may provide additional time, it will not halt the natural aging of the ovaries or enhance the genetic quality of aging eggs. There is still a biological limit.

Decrease in Male Fertility Level

Men, too, experience a decline in fertility – but it tends to occur more gradually. Starting around age 40 to 45, men see a drop in sperm quality and volume, but they often retain the ability to father children into their 60s and beyond. Unlike women, men continuously produce new sperm, whereas women are working from a non-renewable stockpile of eggs.

This disparity implies that while more and more couples are opting to wait to have children, the responsibility of the "biological clock" remains mostly on women.

Although most of the discussion about female reproductive aging centers on wanting to have children, it is important to note that it also marks more general changes in a woman's health – specifically the onset of menopause and its attendant risks. Perhaps one of the most important but most underappreciated is the increasing significance of regular reproductive screenings, particularly as women get older.

Among these, cervical cancer screening stands out as a powerful tool to protect women’s health beyond their childbearing years.

Pap smears and HPV testing are able to pick up on abnormal cell changes before they develop into cancer. Because the immune system shifts with age and hormonal changes impact cervical health, regular screening is even more important. Women in their 30s and 40s – the same time frame when fertility is actively shifting – need to continue to be vigilant about their yearly OB-GYN checkups.

Actually, while women are thinking of or undergoing fertility treatments or assessing their reproductive future, this is the ideal opportunity to make sure their cervical health is under surveillance. New technologies in at-home HPV testing, liquid-based cytology, and co-testing provide more convenient and precise diagnoses ever before.

So is there a boundary beyond which female fertility can be prolonged? Biologically, yes. Despite incredible scientific strides, the natural aging of eggs and of the ovaries places limits that technology can only stretch so far.

Yet reproductive health is more than fertility. By broadening the story to encompass cervical screenings and preventive care, we give women the ability to take holistic control of their reproductive path – whether they opt to become mothers at 25, 35, or older because prolonging fertility isn't merely about having the capacity to conceive, it's about maintaining a lifetime of reproductive health.

A 47-year-old autorickshaw driver from Royapettah, who had received a full course of vaccination after being bitten by a stray dog in July 2025, died of rabies at the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital (RGGGH). He is the 22nd person to succumb to the disease in Tamil Nadu this year.

His death has left experts asking a difficult question, if protocols were followed, why are people still dying? Public health specialists suggest this may not just be a failure of administration, but a sign that India’s long-standing rabies protocol itself needs re-examination.

What Is Rabies?

“Rabies infects mammals, including dogs, cats, livestock and wildlife. It spreads to people through saliva, usually by bites, scratches, or direct contact with mucous membranes such as the eyes, mouth, or open wounds. Once symptoms appear, rabies is virtually 100% fatal,” explains Dr. Surrinder Kumar, MBBS, General Physician.

ALSO READ: Bird Flu In US: Are Cats Spreading A Deadly Disease?

Why Rabies Deaths Still Happen in India?

For those unversed, Rabies immunoglobulin is a medication made up of antibodies against the rabies virus. It is used to prevent rabies following exposure.

According to Dr Surrinder, the main reasons are:

1. Delayed or No Medical Attention: Many victims dismiss dog bites as minor and fail to seek immediate treatment.
2. Lack of Awareness: In rural and semi-urban areas, people often don’t know the importance of post-exposure vaccination.
3. Reliance on Home Remedies: Turmeric, lime, oils, and other traditional remedies are still used, offering no protection.
4. Incomplete Vaccination: Even if treatment begins, many patients drop out midway, making it ineffective.
5. Limited Access to Rabies Immunoglobulin (RIG): For severe bites, RIG is essential along with vaccines, but its high cost and patchy availability block timely use.

The Ground Reality of Rabies Treatment

ALSO READ: Why 1 In 6 U.S. Parents Are Rejecting Vaccine Recommendations

Alongside immunoglobulin, at least five separate rabies vaccine doses are necessary. These, Dr. Shaswath says, are not without side effects, as “every time people take the vaccine, they get fever.” While cities are able to conduct mass vaccination campaigns, rural areas face significant challenges in this regard.

He further stresses that rabies is not confined to dog bites alone. The virus can also spread from other animals, and in rare cases even from humans, if infected saliva comes in contact with open wounds or mucous membranes. “A bite isn’t always necessary,” he warns.

Dr. Ranjeet Singh, Professor and Head of General Medicine at NIIMS Medical College and Hospital, echoes the same concerns. He emphasises that rabies deaths in India do not reflect a failure of the vaccine itself. Instead, the main reasons are late treatment, lack of awareness, incomplete vaccination, shortage of immunoglobulin, and limited access in rural areas.

Is India’s Rabies Vaccination System Flawed?

India follows the WHO-approved five-dose rabies vaccine protocol, with immunoglobulin recommended for severe (Category III) bites. But the bigger question, they say, is whether the protocol assumes ideal conditions, which is immediate wound washing, uninterrupted cold chain storage, and trained professionals administering injections at the wound site. In reality, these conditions are not always met.

Common Mistakes After a Dog Bite Which Can Lead To Rabies

1. Not washing the wound immediately: The first step after a bite is washing with soap and running water for at least 15 minutes. Most skip it.
2. Covering the wound too soon: Tying cloth or applying bandages traps the virus inside.
3. Applying irritants: Substances like chili, lime, or ash worsen the wound and delay treatment.
4. Ignoring minor bites or scratches: Even tiny wounds can transmit rabies if saliva enters.
5. Stopping the vaccine midway: Completing the full course is essential; partial doses give no real protection.

To end rabies deaths in India, awareness must go hand in hand with medical access. Every bite, no matter how small, needs immediate action: wash, vaccinate, and if severe, take immunoglobulin.

“Rabies is 100% preventable but 100% fatal if ignored. No bite should ever be taken lightly. The key is simple, wash, vaccinate, and complete the course,” concludes Dr. Surrinder Kumar.

Sometimes a simple headache can derail your entire day. It slows down your work, causes you issues etc. When that happens, the easiest way to get rid of it is by taking medicine. However, did you know, you may be able to avoid taking the medicine by doing a simple check before?

Sometimes, the cause isn't a lack of medicine—it's a lack of hydration. Dehydration is a very common cause of headaches, and it's often overlooked. In a post, Suzanne Soliman, a US board certified pharmacist, explained that your headache may be a simple issue, that may not need medicine. Before you grab a pain reliever, try this simple trick: Drink a full glass of water with a small pinch of salt. The salt helps your body absorb the water better.

But how does salt water help you get rid of headaches? Is there medical backing to this or is it a placebo trick that helps some people?

Can Salt Water Treat a Migraine?

For some people, drinking salt water can help relieve a migraine, but it depends on the cause. Here are a couple of reasons why it might work:

You're dehydrated

If you've been sweating a lot, you lose both water and salt. Rehydrating with a glass of water and a pinch of salt can restore your body's balance and ease the headache.

You're on a low-salt diet

Some studies, like a 2021 study published in the Medical Science journal, suggest that if your body is used to a high-salt diet (like the average American diet), suddenly reducing your sodium intake can trigger a "withdrawal" headache. In this case, eating or drinking something salty might help.

However, the evidence isn't clear, and drinking too much salt water can make you feel sick. If you want to try this, only add a tiny pinch of salt to a full glass of water. A better way to get more salt might be through salty snacks or a sports drink with electrolytes.,

Can Eating Salt Prevent or Worsen a Migraine?

There's a complex link between salt and migraines. Some people who eat a lot of salt regularly report fewer migraine symptoms, possibly because their bodies are used to a high-sodium diet.

According to the 2021 study, the relief people feel when they eat salty foods during a migraine isn't a cure, but rather a temporary relief from withdrawal symptoms. This might help explain why some studies have found that people who eat more salt tend to have fewer migraines—their bodies are simply getting the high amount of salt they're used to.

Can Too Much Salt Trigger Migraine?

On the other hand, consuming too much salt can also be a migraine trigger. Eating too much salt can increase your blood pressure, which is a known cause of headaches and migraines. Studies have shown that for some people, a high-salt diet can actually make a migraine episode last longer.

A 2023 study published in JAMA included 213 people with a median age of 61. The group was 65% female and 64% Black. Each person followed three different diets: their usual diet, a high-salt diet, and a low-salt diet.

If your headaches are related to high blood pressure, a low-salt diet may be more beneficial

Salt's effect on migraines is different for everyone. It might help if your headache is caused by dehydration or a sudden drop in sodium, but it could also trigger a migraine or make it worse if you have high blood pressure or are sensitive to salt. Always talk to your doctor to figure out what's best for you and your symptoms.

Salt's effect on migraines is different for everyone. It might help if your headache is caused by dehydration or a sudden drop in sodium, but it could also trigger a migraine or make it worse if you have high blood pressure or are sensitive to salt. Always talk to your doctor to figure out what's best for you and your symptoms.

Frank Grillo, the 60-year-old actor known for his roles in superhero films like Superman Peacemaker, recently opened up about how he gets in shape for the big screen. In a recent interview on the Men’s Health “Strong Talk” podcast, he candidly discussed his use of steroids, revealing that many actors use similar methods to prepare for roles.

Grillo spoke on his use of the steroid medication, and gave his view on its criticism. As a part of his Testosterone Replacement Therapy treatment, which helps improve symptoms of low testosterone, he took the medication, and it helped him deal with many age-related health issues.

Why Does Frank Grillo Use Steroids?

Grillo shared that about six years ago, he found out his natural testosterone levels were low. To fix this, he started using testosterone replacement therapy. He says this treatment has helped him in many ways, like improving his sleep, speeding up his recovery after workouts, and making him feel happier in general. Grillo doesn't hide his use of steroids.

He pushes back against people who call it “cheating,” arguing that as an actor, he isn’t competing in a sport like football or wrestling. Instead, he’s simply trying to look the part for a movie role and, in his words, is "not cheating at anything except aging." He also points out that when actors are hired for a superhero movie, there’s an expectation to look a certain way, and sometimes that means using medications like Anavar, a steroid that acts like testosterone.

How Do You Build ‘Superhero’ Physiques?

Grillo claims that what he's doing is not uncommon in Hollywood. He believes that many other actors also use steroids to quickly achieve dramatic body transformations for their roles. He mentioned that drugs like Anavar and Deca, which is another type of steroid, are now often prescribed by doctors, which means their use can be monitored by a medical professional.

Grillo was very clear that incredibly muscular bodies aren't natural. He explains that it's just not realistic for someone to look one way for most of the year and then suddenly gain 35 pounds of muscle. He says that while many actors might not want to talk about it, everyone in the industry knows exactly what’s going on.

What Is Anavar/ Oxandrolone?

According to US National Cancer Institute, Oxandrolone is a man-made drug that's very similar to testosterone, a natural hormone in our bodies. It works by attaching to and activating certain receptors, which are like tiny switches in our cells. Because of this, oxandrolone is used for several reasons, including:

Testosterone replacement therapy: To help men who have low testosterone levels.

HIV-wasting syndrome: To help people with HIV who are losing a lot of weight and muscle.

Other conditions: To help the body hold onto more nitrogen (which is key for building muscle) and to increase lean muscle mass.

How Does Aging Effect Testosterone For Men?

According to Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS), as men get older, it's common for them to experience a natural decline in both testosterone and muscle mass. While this is a normal part of aging, there are ways to fight back against it.

Testosterone is a crucial hormone for men. It helps build muscle by creating proteins, which in turn increases muscle strength. Starting around age 40, a man's testosterone levels gradually drop by about 1-2% each year. This decline can lead to symptoms like fatigue, hair loss, and depression, but many men don't realize what's causing these changes because testosterone levels aren't always checked during a routine doctor's visit.