Age is an important factor in the success of In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF), influencing both the likelihood of conception and the health of the pregnancy. The success rate of IVF procedures generally decreases as the couple seeking treatment gets older. On this World IVF Day, which is observed on July 25th every year, we reached out to our expert Dr Rajeev Agarwal, IVF Specialist and Medical Director, Renew Healthcare, Kolkata, who explained the impact of age on IVF.
The Impact of Age on Female Fertility
“Female fertility is known to decline with age, with a more so after the age of 35. Women are born with a finite number of eggs and with age, both the quantity and quality of these eggs diminish. The decline in fertility accelerates beyond the mid-thirties, making conception more challenging. Beyond the age of 40, the likelihood of natural conception decreases to less than 5% per cycle,” said Dr Agarwal.
In the practice of IVF, age remains a critical factor. Younger women typically have more viable eggs, which increases the likelihood of successful fertilisation and embryo development. On the other hand, older women usually have a reduced ovarian reserve with a higher incidence of chromosomal aberrations in their eggs, which leads to miscarriages or congenital disabilities. As a result, as women age, their chances of having a successful IVF cycle decline.
According to a 2012 study, women of advanced maternal age often face challenges during Controlled Ovarian Hyperstimulation (COH). These can include poor ovarian response, a low number of retrieved oocytes, reduced oocyte fertilisation rates, fewer high-quality embryos, lower embryo implantation rates, decreased pregnancy rates, increased risk of preterm delivery, higher miscarriage rates, and a higher incidence of birth defects.
Also Read: Explained: IVF Success Rate In Women In Their 20s, 30s, And 40s
Age and Male Fertility
“Although male fertility does not decline as sharply with age as female fertility, it is not immune to the effects of ageing. Sperm quality usually deteriorates over time, with older men experiencing reduced sperm motility and increased sperm DNA fragmentation. These factors contribute to lower fertility rates and higher risks of genetic abnormalities in offspring,” added Dr Agarwal.
IVF Success Rates and Age
IVF success rates vary significantly with age. “According to data from fertility clinics, women under 35 have the highest success rates, with approximately 40% achieving a live birth per IVF cycle. For women aged 35-37, the success rate drops to around 30%, and for those aged 38-40, it falls to about 20%. Women over 40 have even lower success rates, with a 5-10% chance of a live birth per cycle,” highlighted Dr Agarwal.
Also Read: Intrauterine Insemination: Expert Explains The Relevance Of IUI In The World Of IVF
Strategies to Improve IVF Outcomes for Older Women
With recent advances in reproductive medicine, several strategies have been introduced to improve IVF outcomes for older women. “One such approach is Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT), which screens embryos for chromosomal abnormalities before transfer. PGT assists clinicians in selecting the healthiest embryos, thereby increasing the likelihood of a successful pregnancy,” said Dr Agarwal.
Another option in women with poor ovarian reserve or poor egg quality is the use of donor eggs. The donor eggs are usually harvested from younger women and can offer a higher likelihood of success. This option provides hope for many older women who may not have viable eggs.
Bottomline
Dr Agarwal concluded, “Age is a critical factor in fertility and IVF success. While the decline in fertility with age poses challenges, advances in reproductive medicine offer hope to many aspiring parents. By understanding the impact of age on fertility treatment, individuals and couples can make informed decisions and explore available options to achieve their dream of parenthood. On World IVF Day, we celebrate the progress in IVF technology and remain hopeful for continued advancements that will further enhance fertility treatment outcomes for people of all ages.”
[Disclaimer: This article contains information provided by an expert and is for informational purposes only. Hence, we advise you to consult your own professional if you are dealing with any health issues to avoid complications.]