The Fertility Challenge For Women Over 40
There comes a time when even fertility treatments are a challenge for women. Age plays a significant part in IVF and embryo transfers. From age 40 and beyond, the chances of a successful, full-term pregnancy drop significantly. Clinics are aware of these challenges and even place age limits on reproductive treatments. Women over 40 must be aware of these limitations and put contingencies in place.
What happens to women over 40?
Due to professional goals, personal preferences, or relationships, more and more women are delaying pregnancy. However, a woman’s reproductive health naturally declines at this point. Women are born with a set number of follicles that mature into eggs every month. From age 40, this reserve is severely depleted. The quality of the remaining eggs also declines, increasing the chances of genetic anomalies. Women over 40 are more likely to experience complications like miscarriages and premature births.
Improving your chances of success
Despite the challenges, there are some ways to improve the success rates of pregnancy. Women opting to have children later can take some precautions. By preserving eggs several years before attempting pregnancy, the chances of success increase significantly. Studies show that women of advanced ages using cryopreserved eggs have higher chances of pregnancy. Surrogacy and donor eggs are other available options. These options must be openly discussed with partners as there are biological and genetic consequences to consider.
Be prepared
Women over 40 will find assisted reproductive techniques more challenging. Some clinics even have age limits, around age 45, as the odds of success decline significantly. At this age, women have diminished ovarian reserves and lower-quality eggs. Understanding these challenges and planning well in advance can reduce the heartache of IVF. The chances of a more successful egg transfer happen with cryopreservation before age 35. A young egg donor can also increase pregnancy rates. The correct action means women can still start or grow a family.
