How Age Impacts IVF Success? Here’s What Doctors Say

In-vitro fertilisation is one of the most opted for Artificial Reproductive Treatment (ART) among couples struggling with infertility in recent years. This procedure is seen as a golden ray of hope for couples struggling to start their journey of parenthood. However, it is essential to understand that while IVF is found to give successful results, it depends on various factors. One such crucial factor is the age of the potential parents. According to an experienced infertility specialist in Siliguri, while the age factor in IVF usually only considers the age of the mother, the age of the father also plays a crucial role in the process. In this blog, we will be looking at the IVF procedure and trying to identify the possible effects of ageing on the procedure.

 

When it comes to fertility in women, it gradually decreases along with age, making it hard to conceive. This is due to the gradual decline in the quality and quantity of eggs produced in the ovary.

Women are born with a finite number of eggs, but as they grow old, the quality as well as the quantity tends to decrease gradually.  After the age of 35, there is a rise in the incidence related to chromosomal abnormalities in their eggs, which can impact the IVF procedure and increase the chances of miscarriages. However, IVF can still be successful for women in their late 30s, but they may have to go through many cycles due to chromosomal abnormalities and miscarriages.

The number of eggs a woman can produce also decreases with age, which means fewer eggs are available for IVF cycles. Even if a woman’s eggs are of good quality, a low ovarian reserve can reduce the number of embryos created, lowering the likelihood of success. In older women, the low quality of their eggs is an additional factor which decreases the chances of IVF success.

 

According to an infertility specialist in Siliguri, age has a similar impact on the fertility of men, impacting the quality and quantity of their sperm. While the decline is more subtle, it can also impact the outcomes of IVF  due to the production of abnormal sperm cells and DNA fragmentation.

There is an increased chance of DNA fragmentation, a decrease in sperm count, and reduced motility with the progression of age in men. This affects their ability to fertilise and also leads to a higher risk of miscarriages and birth defects.

Unlike women, the sperm cells of men tend to start declining only after they reach the age of 40. Studies have also found that children with older fathers tend to be affected with certain genetic conditions, causing them to be affected with autism, schizophrenia. However, no valid sources have been found in this discussion, and there is still ongoing research on it.

 

Most infertility specialists tend to track the success rate of an IVF procedure based on the age of the parents, and most of the younger patients tend to have better results. But why is age considered to be a crucial factor in the IVF procedure by specialists? Let us discuss the fertility in men and women to find answers to this question. 

This age range has the highest success rate, and the percentage ranges from 40-50%. The major reason for IVF succes during this period is the healthy ovarian reserve and eggs, which increases the succes rate of the procedure.

Once women reach this age range, there is a notable decline in the succes rate in IVF procedures. This is most likely due to the impact of age on the quality of eggs.  During this phase, doctors often suggest egg freezing as well as other diagnostic tests to ensure the health of the ovarian reserve.

Between 38 and 40, the chances of success continue to decline. The risk of miscarriage increases due to poorer egg quality, and IVF success rates drop further. At this age, fertility specialists may suggest egg donation or embryo freezing to increase the chances of a successful pregnancy.

Women over 40 experience a significant decline in IVF success rates, often seeing success rates as low as 10-20%. The chances of a successful IVF cycle drop substantially due to a reduced number of high-quality eggs. At this stage, many fertility experts strongly recommend using donor eggs, as younger eggs typically lead to higher pregnancy success rates.

While the decline of fertility in men is very gradual, men above the age of 40 can be affected by lower sperm count, high DNA fragmentation and low motility. These can be connected to the fertilisation rate and increase the chances of miscarriage.

 

If you’re over 35 or have concerns about age-related fertility issues, it’s important to seek professional advice from an infertility specialist in Siliguri or a trusted fertility expert in your area. A fertility specialist will assess your specific case, perform necessary tests, and guide you through personalised treatment options to optimise your chances of success. For men and women over 40, your fertility specialist may recommend using donor eggs or sperm, depending on the age-related challenges you're facing.

Here are some of the reproductive treatments provided by specialists to cater to the reproductive health of older couples

 

Donor Eggs or Sperm  – This method involves the use of sperm or eggs donated by young and healthy individuals. This increases the chance of IVF success and can be helpful if there is a limited number of cells.

Pre-implantation Genetic Testing (PGT) – PGT is a technique that allows doctors to test embryos for genetic abnormalities before implantation. This can be particularly helpful for women over 40 to ensure a higher chance of a healthy pregnancy.

Assisted hatching –  In this laboratory procedure, the specialist creates a small opening or thinning in the other layer of the embryo, which can help it to hatch early and implant in the uterus.

 

Now that we have thoroughly discussed the impact of age on IVF success rates, it is important to remember that it is not the only factor that impacts the procedure.  There are various other factors, such as lifestyles, overall health, etc., which can impact the IVF cycle. Whether you’re in your 20s, 30s, or 40s, working with a skilled infertility specialist in Siliguri will help you navigate your fertility journey and optimise your chances of success.

In conclusion, both male and female age are crucial factors in IVF success. For older individuals, advances in fertility medicine and treatments like egg donation or sperm analysis can help overcome these challenges.