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Fertility is a fascinating part of human biology and something few of us ever think about until we begin planning a family. People frequently ask around Maaeri Fertility & IVF, ‘Is there a “right age” to begin fertility treatment? And how does age affect in-vitro fertilization (IVF) success?’ This blog will explain how age affects fertility, how you’ll approach the IVF journey, and what you can do to protect or increase your chances of becoming a parent.
The peak of a woman’s fertility is in her 20s. It is generally high in egg quality, and the ovaries function optimally. The monthly chance of conceiving naturally can be 25–30% during this period. In IVF, the success rates are generally at their best when fertility treatments are started in the 20s because the eggs are better quality, and overall reproductive health is better.
Fertility is still relatively good, but there are some subtle changes when the woman reaches the age of 32. Once a woman is 35, her ovarian reserve (the number of eggs available) and egg quality decline more noticeably. Yet, at this age, many women are still able to conceive naturally or through assisted reproductive technologies such as IVF.
The decline in fertility increases after age 37. By 40, egg quality, quantity, and general reproductive health have dramatically changed. Natural conception and IVF often have a lower success rate. However, IVF success is still possible with the correct protocols and individualized care, but it may require more cycles or other interventions (e.g., donor eggs).
Male fertility declines as well but at a lesser slope. There is a slight decrease in the success rate of IVF and longer times to conception, with sperm quality, motility, and concentration starting to dip in the late 30s or 40s. However, men tend to be more fertile than women of the same age.
Diminishing Ovarian Reserve: Women are born with typically around 1 to 2 million eggs. By the onset of puberty, this number drops to about 300,000 to 500,000. With each menstrual cycle, the body recruits a small cohort of eggs, and only one (or a few) reaches maturity. With time, the overall pool of eggs gets smaller and of lower quality.
Reduced Egg Quality: Women’s eggs deteriorate in quality as they age. Eggs from women over 35 are more likely to have chromosomal abnormalities that can cause problems with conceiving, increase the likelihood of miscarriage, or pose health risks to the pregnancy.
Hormonal Changes: Women’s hormones can negatively impact the ovulation process. In the late 30s and 40s, the cycles become more irregular or anovulatory (months when no egg is released).
Underlying Health Issues: Age can also bring on conditions such as endometriosis, uterine fibroids, or certain autoimmune or metabolic disorders that affect fertility and IVF outcomes.
Lifestyle Factors: Aging is a natural process, but smoking, drinking too much alcohol, bad diet, being overweight, and chronic stress can also affect men's and women's fertility, making conception much harder.
IVF is a powerful tool to overcome a wide range of fertility problems, but success rates remain influenced by age. Generally:
Typically, success rates are over 40, drop to 10–20%, and then decline with each passing year.
Keep in mind that these are general guidelines, not rigid rules. If you have any doubts about your fertility, it’s safer to get advice sooner rather than later.
Age is only one piece of the puzzle when it comes to fertility. Women in their late 30s, early 40s, and even later have become parents successfully with the proper care, technologies, and guidance. Our mission at Maaeri Fertility & IVF is to give you the knowledge and personal care you need to make a smooth and successful journey to parenthood.
Ready to start your fertility journey?
To kick-start your fertility journey, you can connect with Maaeri Fertility & IVF today to learn more about our fertility testing, IVF treatments, and comprehensive patient support. Whether you’re looking to start a family now or preserve your options for the future, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
