What Is IVF? Know What Role It Plays In Raising Fertility Chances For Women Above 40

As women age, the quantity and quality of their eggs decrease, making conception more challenging. By the age of 40, many women experience a significant decline in fertility.

By Dr Lavi Sindhu 

In recent years, the landscape of fertility treatment has undergone a transformative shift, offering hope to women facing the challenges of conceiving later in life. While fertility naturally declines with age, advancements in assisted reproductive technologies, particularly In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF), have become a beacon of hope for women aged 40 and beyond who aspire to become mothers. 

As women age, the quantity and quality of their eggs decrease, making conception more challenging. By the age of 40, many women experience a significant decline in fertility, and the likelihood of natural conception diminishes. Factors such as age-related decline in ovarian reserve and increased risk of chromosomal abnormalities contribute to the complexity of achieving pregnancy for women in this age group.

Role of IVF

In IVF, eggs are collected from the ovaries, fertilised with sperm outside the body, and then carefully placed back into the uterus. Even though IVF can lead to conceiving, it is important to understand the special considerations and hurdles that may arise due to advanced maternal age. Both female and male fertility are affected by age, but female fertility is more pronounced than male fertility. While age-related changes in male fertility are less drastic compared to women, some evidence suggests that older men may experience decreased sperm quality, which could impact the success of IVF. One full cycle of IVF takes about two to three weeks.   

What makes IVF a choice for women?

Several reasons can lead to women choosing IVF. These include age-related fertility challenges, tubal factor infertility, unexplained infertility, male factor infertility, and preservation of infertility. 

Age-related fertility challenges: As women age, their fertility naturally declines due to a decrease in the quantity and quality of eggs. IVF offers a viable solution for women facing challenges in conceiving naturally, especially as they enter their late 30s and 40s.

Tubal factor infertility: Conditions such as blocked or damaged fallopian tubes can impede the journey of eggs from the ovaries to the uterus. IVF bypasses this obstacle by allowing fertilisation to occur outside the body, increasing the chances of successful conception.

Unexplained infertility: In cases where couples experience infertility without a clear medical cause, IVF provides a comprehensive approach to fertility treatment. It addresses multiple factors simultaneously, even when the specific cause remains unidentified.

Male factor infertility: Issues related to sperm quality, count, or motility can contribute to infertility. IVF allows for the selection of the healthiest sperm for fertilisation, overcoming challenges associated with male factor infertility.

Preservation of fertility: Women may choose IVF to preserve their fertility for various reasons, such as medical treatments like chemotherapy that may impact fertility. Egg freezing, a component of IVF, enables women to store eggs for future use, providing an option for family-building when the timing is optimal. 

What role does age play in the process?

It has been observed that the IVF success rate is higher among younger women since they have healthier eggs. Healthier eggs lead to better or increased success rates. Women in their late 20s to early 30s tend to have a higher IVF success rate due to better egg quality. Women in their 40s who wish to choose pregnancy via IVF face a lot of challenges. However, it does not eliminate the possibility of them embracing motherhood. There are certain procedures and tests that women above the age of 40 can undergo to ensure a better IVF success rate. 

Tests for women above the age of 40

To ensure a higher IVF success rate, women above 40 years of age can undergo the following tests.

Comprehensive Fertility Evaluation: Creating the most suitable IVF treatment plan begins with an evaluation of the health of a woman's reproductive system, her ovarian reserve, and her overall health. 

Egg Donor Options: Women with diminished ovarian reserves or poor egg quality may benefit from using donor eggs from younger women. 

Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT): By identifying chromosomally normal embryos, PGT can reduce miscarriage risks and increase the likelihood of a healthy pregnancy. 

Lifestyle Modifications: Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, which includes a balanced diet, regular exercise, and avoiding harmful habits, can positively impact fertility and IVF outcomes ..

Ovarian Reserve Test: This gives an idea about the number of eggs in a woman’s body.

IVF success rate, especially for women above 40

The IVF success rate tends to decline after 35 years of age. For women below 35, the success rate is around 40 to 45 per cent while for those above 40, it is around 10 to 13 per cent. However, the possibility of motherhood doesn’t go away. By undergoing the above-mentioned tests and modification of lifestyle, the process of IVF can become a feasible option. 

It cannot be denied that age is a major factor affecting the IVF process. However, with proper medical testing and guidance from a fertility specialist, the wish to conceive remains alive for women above the age of 40 and they can enjoy their motherhood journey. 

(The author is a consultant at Birla Fertility & IVF, Lajpat Nagar).

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