IVF (In Vitro Fertilisation) is a common fertility treatment that offers hope to many aspiring parents. However, its success is highly dependent on various factors—especially age. For anyone considering IVF, understanding how age impacts the chances of success and what can be done to improve outcomes is essential.

Age and IVF Success Rates

Age plays a major role in IVF outcomes. Women under 35 enjoy the highest success rates, with live births occurring in about 32–50% of IVF cycles. This age group typically has a better ovarian reserve and higher-quality eggs, making fertilisation and implantation more likely.

Between ages 35 and 37, success rates drop slightly to 30–40%. Egg quality and quantity begin to decline, which impacts embryo viability. From age 38 to 40, live birth rates fall to around 20–27%. At this stage, many women still achieve pregnancy, but the likelihood diminishes as egg quality worsens.

For women over 40, success rates drop sharply to just 5–12%. The natural decline in egg quality makes IVF less effective, often prompting the use of donor eggs, which can significantly improve the chances of success.

Other Key Factors That Influence IVF Outcomes

While age is critical, several additional factors affect IVF success:

• Lifestyle and Health: General health strongly influences fertility. Eating a nutritious diet, maintaining a healthy weight, managing stress, and avoiding smoking or excessive alcohol intake can all improve IVF outcomes. Research supports the link between lifestyle factors and egg or sperm quality, making healthy habits a key part of fertility planning.
• Fertility Conditions: Conditions like endometriosis, PCOS, or male factor infertility can complicate IVF. Tailored treatments like ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection) may be necessary in such cases, especially when sperm quality is low.
• Embryo Quality: Embryo quality is crucial for a successful pregnancy. Poor-quality embryos—often the result of age or genetic issues—are less likely to implant. Preimplantation genetic testing can help identify healthy embryos, improving implantation rates and reducing the risk of miscarriage.
• Clinic Expertise: The clinic’s experience and technology also matter. Success rates vary by clinic, so choosing a reputable provider with high success rates and advanced technology can enhance the likelihood of a successful IVF cycle.

Improving IVF Success as Age Increases

For older women or those facing reduced fertility, several strategies may help. These include lifestyle changes, preimplantation genetic testing, and the use of donor eggs. Donor eggs, in particular, can boost success rates dramatically for women over 40, offering a viable path to parenthood even when natural fertility is low.