If you’re struggling to conceive, you still have a better chance of having children through in vitro fertilization (IVF). The success rate of this fertility treatment depends on many factors, one of them being age. As women age, their fertility declines, increasing the odds of IVF failure. Here’s more information about if there is a connection between age and IVF failure rates:
Impact of Age on IVF Results
IVF has a higher success rate than most assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs). A successful IVF can be determined based on pregnancy rate and live births. According to the Society for Reproductive Technology (SART), women under 35 have better IVF outcomes.
At this age, a woman produces more high-quality eggs per cycle. This allows for a better selection of a quality egg, increasing the chances of pregnancy. Women under the age of 35 have a lower risk of chromosomally abnormal eggs, boosting the likelihood of a healthy pregnancy. SART’s Final National Summary Report for 2021 indicates the following percentages of ART cycles resulting in live births:
- 35 years and below: 51.1% of live births
- 35 to 37: 38.6% of live births
- 38 to 40: 24.8% of live births
- 41 to 42: 12.8% of live births
- 42 until menopause: 3.9% of live births
The percentage of live births through IVF declines past age 35. Women in their late 30s may still produce quality eggs, but the quantity reduces. This lowers the chances of IVF success. The likelihood of chromosomal abnormalities and miscarriages also increases. Women aged 40 and above have the lowest chances of having a baby via IVF.
Chronological Age vs. Biological Age
Chronological age and biological age might not align in the context of fertility. Chronological age represents the number of years you have lived. Biological age indicates the condition of your overall health, including your reproductive system. Lifestyle choices, hormone levels, and genetic factors influence biological age. It helps in determining the success rate of fertility treatments, including IVF.
A woman aged 35 might have a reproductive system working similarly to women in their 40s. This indicates that she has an older biological age and a lower chance of IVF success. Another woman aged 40 chronologically might have a reproductive system exhibiting qualities associated with women in their early 30s. This indicates a younger biological age, which may increase the chances of IVF success. Here are the reasons why IVF failure increases with age:
Reduced Egg Quantity
Younger women have more egg supply than older women. This is because the quantity of eggs decreases with age before depleting eventually. By the time women reach age 35 years and above, they have fewer eggs in the ovaries available for fertilization during IVF.
Reduced Egg Quality
Egg quality in women declines with age. When women reach their mid-to-late 30s and 40s, their eggs are more prone to chromosomal abnormalities, like aneuploidy. These abnormalities increase the likelihood of failed implantation, miscarriages, and genetic disorders in babies.
Thin Uterine Lining
Good uterine health plays a significant role in the success of IVF. With age, the uterus lining may become thin, making it difficult for an embryo to implant. A thinner lining results in a less receptive environment for embryos to attach.
How to Maximize Your IVF Success
If you’re in your 40s and wish to conceive naturally, a fertility specialist may help you plan for a successful IVF. They can recommend more than one IVF cycle to increase the success rate. Women with few or low-quality eggs can opt for egg donation to improve their chances of IVF success. Donor eggs should come from younger women with high-quality eggs.
If you’re not ready to have children but are planning to start a family later in life, an egg-freezing technique may help. It involves extracting unfertilized eggs from the ovaries and preserving them for future use. Extraction should be done when a woman is younger, usually before age 40.
Early interventions and maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help maximize your IVF success. Work with a fertility specialist to address reproductive system issues like fibroids and endometriosis. Failure to address these issues could result in failed IVF. You also need to avoid smoking, exercise regularly, and eat a balanced diet to slow your biological aging.
Get Professional Help to Prevent IVF Failure
IVF is a widely used ART that has helped many women realize their dreams of having children. Although IVF has a high success rate, factors like age can lower a woman’s chances of having a baby. Whether in your mid-to-late 30s or early 40s, partner with a professional to boost your odds. Fertility specialists may use repeated IVF cycles or address underlying issues to reduce IVF failure. Contact a trusted specialist today to develop an IVF treatment plan that enables you to conceive and have a baby.
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