Dr. Jyoti Bali

How Age Affects Fertility And The Chances Of Success With IVF

Fertility is a complex combination of various elements; however, age is perhaps the most significant factor. Women - and to a slightly lesser degree, men - experience their reproductive well-being and the probability of conception change as they age. 

It would be reassuring for individuals who plan to start or are starting families later in life if they knew more about these effects and how age affects fertility and in vitro fertilization (IVF) success rates.

<h2>The Effect of Age on <span rel="noindex">Female Fertility</span></h2>

Female fertility takes a dive in the late 20s and early 30s, and then it dramatically drops after the age of 35. The reason for this decline in female fertility is largely attributed to the reduced amount and quality of eggs. Women are born with only an approximate number of eggs in their lifetime, which continues to decrease with age. In fact, at age 40, there is very little chance of becoming pregnant without advanced reproductive technology, and the risk of eggs having significant chromosomal abnormalities in the egg increases dramatically, hence increased miscarriage and birth defects.

It's not just the female side that declines with age; male fertility declines as well. Although the decline is probably less dramatic, the quality of sperm decreases, mainly in the areas of motility and morphology, which adversely affects male fertility as well, unfortunately.

IVF has emerged as a potent of choice for couples that have been facing fertility issues most especially those related to age. Age, however, still a decisive success factor in <span>IVF treatment</span>. According to different studies, it has been indicated that the great success rate achieved from IVF is when the females are below 35 years with the overall live birth rate per cycle close to 40-50%. The percentage rate stands at around 40-50% for women aged 32-34, followed by about 30-40% for women aged 35-37, and approximately 20-30% for women aged 38-40. Success rates hit a mere 5-10% per cycle for women older than 40. Such is why age becomes a critical issue for those attempting ART.

The reduced <span>success rate of IVF</span> with increasing age has been mostly attributed to the conditions such as egg quality, hormonal imbalances, and a higher risk of existing medical conditions. With time, the risk of having medical conditions such as endometriosis or uterine fibroids to make the pregnancy complicated also increases. Older eggs are also more likely to have chromosomal defects, which may lead to failures at the implantation or miscarriages.

In men, though the quality of sperms is affected by the age, the decline is not that steep as it is in the case of women. The opposite, however has proved true with advanced paternal age also leading to several risks such as genetic mutations and various developmental disorders in their offspring.

<h2>Overcoming Age-Related Fertility Issues</h2>

For those who would wish to avoid age-related fertility issues, it's not too early to take some proactive measures. Early consultation with a fertility specialist can help in assessing one's individual circumstances and then take expert advice on the best course of action. Then, there is egg freezing that helps women preserve their eggs at a relatively younger age for potential use or the use of donor eggs that can greatly increase chances for older women.

Lifestyle choices contribute significantly to fertility. Proper weight maintenance, nonsmoking, no dependence on heavy alcohol intake, and less stress are some of the indicators of maintaining a healthy reproductive system that can enhance the chances and possibility of successful IVF treatments. 

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Fertility is a complex combination of various elements; however, age is perhaps the most significant factor. Women - and to a slightly lesser degree, men - experience their reproductive well-being and the probability of conception change as they age. It would be reassuring for individuals who plan to start or are starting families later in life if they knew more about these effects and how age affects fertility and in vitro fertilization (IVF) success rates.The Effect of Age on Female FertilityFemale fertility takes a dive in the late 20s and early 30s, and then it dramatically drops after the age of 35. The reason for this decline in female fertility is largely attributed to the reduced amount and quality of eggs. Women are born with only an approximate number of eggs in their lifetime, which continues to decrease with age. In fact, at age 40, there is very little chance of becoming pregnant without advanced reproductive technology, and the risk of eggs having significant chromosomal abnormalities in the egg increases dramatically, hence increased miscarriage and birth defects.It's not just the female side that declines with age; male fertility declines as well. Although the decline is probably less dramatic, the quality of sperm decreases, mainly in the areas of motility and morphology, which adversely affects male fertility as well, unfortunately.IVF and AgeIVF has emerged as a potent of choice for couples that have been facing fertility issues most especially those related to age. Age, however, still a decisive success factor in IVF treatment. According to different studies, it has been indicated that the great success rate achieved from IVF is when the females are below 35 years with the overall live birth rate per cycle close to 40-50%. The percentage rate stands at around 40-50% for women aged 32-34, followed by about 30-40% for women aged 35-37, and approximately 20-30% for women aged 38-40. Success rates hit a mere 5-10% per cycle for women older than 40. Such is why age becomes a critical issue for those attempting ART.Why Are Success Rates Dropping?The reduced success rate of IVF with increasing age has been mostly attributed to the conditions such as egg quality, hormonal imbalances, and a higher risk of existing medical conditions. With time, the risk of having medical conditions such as endometriosis or uterine fibroids to make the pregnancy complicated also increases. Older eggs are also more likely to have chromosomal defects, which may lead to failures at the implantation or miscarriages.In men, though the quality of sperms is affected by the age, the decline is not that steep as it is in the case of women. The opposite, however has proved true with advanced paternal age also leading to several risks such as genetic mutations and various developmental disorders in their offspring.Overcoming Age-Related Fertility IssuesFor those who would wish to avoid age-related fertility issues, it's not too early to take some proactive measures. Early consultation with a fertility specialist can help in assessing one's individual circumstances and then take expert advice on the best course of action. Then, there is egg freezing that helps women preserve their eggs at a relatively younger age for potential use or the use of donor eggs that can greatly increase chances for older women.Lifestyle choices contribute significantly to fertility. Proper weight maintenance, nonsmoking, no dependence on heavy alcohol intake, and less stress are some of the indicators of maintaining a healthy reproductive system that can enhance the chances and possibility of successful IVF treatments. 