In vitro fertilization (IVF) is the most common fertility treatment option for couples struggling with natural conception or infertility. This process may seem complicated initially, but it involves fertilizing eggs outside the body and transferring the resulting embryos into the uterus.
Although IVF has a high success rate, it has at times been interpreted negatively, although this can be affected by a number of factors including age.
IVF fertility centres are equipped to provide individualized treatment plans for all age groups to increase their chances of success.
IVF Success Rates According to the Age Group
IVF success rates are generally higher in younger women than older women. According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 2019 report on IVF success estimator, the success rates for IVF treatment using non-donor eggs are as follows:
- Women under the age of 35: 42% live birth rate per embryo transfer
- Women aged between 35-37: 36% live birth rate per embryo transfer
- Women aged between 38-39: 20% live birth rate per embryo transfer
- Women aged 40-42 have a 19% live birth rate per embryo transfer
- Women aged 43-44 have a 7% live birth rate per embryo transfer
- And for women over the age of 45, the live birth rate per embryo transfer is 2%
As you can see, the likelihood of success reduces considerably as a woman ages, so fertility IVF clinics often recommend that women consider IVF earlier rather than later. The declining success rate with age may be caused by several elements, such as egg quantity, quality, and women’s general health.
- The quality, as well as the quantity of a woman’s eggs, declines as she ages.
- Older women are more likely to produce eggs with chromosomal abnormalities, which can lead to miscarriages or failed implantations.
- In addition, older women may produce fewer eggs in general, limiting the number of embryos available for transfer.
While female age is the most significant factor in IVF success rates, male age also plays a crucial role.
- As men age, the overall quality and quantity of their sperm also decline, making it more complicated to achieve fertilization.
- Additionally, older men may have a higher risk of passing genetic mutations to their offspring, which can impact pregnancy outcomes.
IVF fertility centres can provide treatments that address male infertility issues, such as sperm retrieval and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), to increase the chances of success.
Conclusion
In summary, age significantly impacts IVF success rates, which is why it’s essential to consider fertility IVF treatment earlier rather than later. Generally speaking, success rates for women under 35 are the highest, while success rates for women over 42 are the lowest.
When considering IVF, always ensure to get the assistance of experienced fertility experts, ensuring maximum success rates for all age groups.