In vitro fertilization (IVF) is an assisted reproductive treatment that combines eggs and sperm outside the body in a laboratory. During treatment, a fertility specialist retrieves mature eggs, fertilizes them with sperm, and allows the resulting embryos to develop for several days before transferring one into the uterus. Doctors recommend IVF for couples or individuals who have had difficulty conceiving after one year of trying, or after six months for women over 35. Same-sex couples and single parents may also use IVF with donor eggs or sperm. Here’s more information on IVF and how age is a large factor that influences treatment outcomes:
Fertility Declines With Age
Women and people assigned female at birth are born with all the eggs they will have in their lifetime. This supply, known as the ovarian reserve, gradually decreases. The decline generally becomes more noticeable after age 35 and tends to accelerate after age 40. Egg quality also changes with age. Older eggs may be more likely to contain chromosomal abnormalities, which can affect fertilization and embryo development.
These changes directly affect oocyte retrieval, the IVF stage in which a specialist collects eggs from the ovaries. Before retrieval, patients take medications that stimulate the ovaries to mature multiple eggs at once. Younger patients typically produce more eggs in response to stimulation. Older patients produce fewer eggs, and fewer of those eggs may be suitable for fertilization. Male fertility can also change with age. Sperm quality and motility may decline over time, although these changes tend to occur later and more gradually than changes in female fertility.
Pregnancy Rates Decline With Age
IVF success is often measured by the pregnancy rate per embryo transfer; these rates are highest for patients under 35 and tend to decrease with each passing year. Fewer retrieved eggs can mean fewer embryos available for transfer or freezing. When embryos carry chromosomal abnormalities, they may not implant in the uterus.
Some older patients may need multiple IVF cycles to achieve pregnancy, with each additional cycle requiring more time and medical appointments. Fertility specialists evaluate each patient’s ovarian reserve before starting in vitro fertilization treatment. Blood tests that measure anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and ultrasounds that count antral follicles help estimate how a patient may respond to stimulation. When exploring in vitro fertilization, there are two main treatment options available:
- Traditional IVF
- IVF With INVOcell
Viable Pregnancies Decline With Age
A viable pregnancy is one that is expected to continue to a live birth, but as age increases, the likelihood of miscarriage generally rises. This trend is often linked to chromosomal abnormalities in embryos. IVF offers several options that may support individuals over 35 with their family planning goals.
Patients can discuss their options with a specialist, and their care team will recommend an approach based on individual health history. Preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) allows specialists to screen embryos for certain chromosomal abnormalities before transfer. This screening can help identify embryos more likely to result in a viable pregnancy.
Egg freezing allows individuals to preserve eggs at a younger age for future use; frozen eggs retain the characteristics they had at the time of retrieval. Embryo freezing offers a similar option for couples who plan to delay pregnancy. Donor eggs may be an option for patients with a diminished ovarian reserve. The age of the egg, rather than the age of the person carrying the pregnancy, is often a key factor in IVF outcomes.
Learn About IVF Treatment Options
Age is one of many factors that influence in vitro fertilization outcomes by affecting egg supply, egg quality, and pregnancy rates. To learn about your fertility treatment options, contact an IVF specialist near you to schedule a consultation. A fertility specialist can evaluate your reproductive health, review your medical history, and explain which IVF treatment options align with your goals. An early consultation may give you more options overall, including egg or embryo freezing.
