Time marches inexorably forward, and for the female body, this is not just a philosophical concept. The reproductive clock ticks with particular urgency. The ability to conceive changes naturally, and this process is directly related to the depletion of the ovarian reserve. The number of eggs decreases. Their quality declines. This decline becomes particularly noticeable between the ages of 32 and 35.
Biology dictates its own rules, so the likelihood of getting pregnant on your own tends to decrease with age. But modern medicine has learned to argue with nature. The chances of becoming a mother remain high. Successful IVF after 40 helps with this. We will analyze in detail what the outcome of the entire program depends on. Let’s look at the preparation, the doctors’ strategies, and how the long-awaited pregnancy progresses.
Features of procedures in mature age
Reproductive specialists often offer IVF to couples who are facing infertility and have been unable to solve the problem by other means. But the technique is also useful for completely healthy people over 40. The procedure may be recommended to them for preimplantation genetic diagnosis. This analysis allows genetic defects to be found even before the embryo is transferred to the uterus. In this way, doctors reduce the risk of giving birth to a baby with Down syndrome or other pathologies.
When a doctor draws up a treatment plan for a patient over 40, they take several critical factors into account.
First, the ovaries respond less strongly to stimulation. Obtaining many mature cells in a single cycle becomes a difficult task.
Second, fewer healthy embryos are produced. Not all of them will be suitable for transfer.
Third, the ICSI method often has to be used. This is when a sperm is injected directly into the egg to ensure fertilization.
Fourth, the implantation itself can be more difficult. It is harder for the embryo to attach to the uterine wall.
The language of numbers and reality
Statistics are stubborn things. They clearly show how fertility changes. If a couple has regular sex without contraception, the chances of conception in one cycle are as follows.
At age 20, the probability is about 25%.
Between the ages of 30 and 35, it drops to 15%.
After age 40, the chances fall to a modest 5%.
In IVF programs, the picture is as follows. Women between the ages of 38 and 40 become pregnant in about 22% of cases. At age 42, this figure drops to 12%. After age 42, the effectiveness drops to 3-4%, and by age 44, it reaches only 2%.
There is another important factor: chromosomal abnormalities. In women younger than 30, about 30% of eggs are defective. By the age of 40, this figure rises to 60%. At 44, the proportion of abnormal cells can reach a frightening 90%.
Treatment strategies and programs
The protocol is always selected individually. The doctor looks at the tests and overall health.
Working with your own oocytes
There are several ways to do this. The most common is IVF with hormonal stimulation. The patient takes medications to get the body to produce as many cells as possible.
IVF in a natural cycle is suitable for those who cannot take a lot of hormones. Or if previous stimulation has not been successful.
IVM technology involves the maturation of cells in a test tube. Doctors take immature oocytes, grow them in the laboratory, and fertilize them.
Using cryopreserved oocytes is an excellent plan B. If a woman froze her cells before the age of 35, they can be thawed and used now. The chances of success will be as high as they were at the time of freezing.
Programs with donor material
Sometimes the ovarian reserve is completely depleted or there is a high risk of passing on a genetic disease. In this case, IVF with egg donation comes to the rescue, which shows excellent results even in women aged 51-55.
Frozen donor cells can be used. They are simply thawed and fertilized.
Fresh oocytes can also be used. In this case, the cycles of the donor and recipient must be synchronized.
In any case, the future mother is prepared with hormones. The endometrium must be ideal for accepting the embryo.
Why pregnancy does not occur
Sometimes fertilization is successful, but the test is negative. There can be several reasons for this.
The most common is the quality of the embryos. That is why PGD genetic testing is so important after the age of 40. It helps to select the best ones.
The second reason lies in the endometrium. If the layer is too thin, the embryo will not be able to attach. Doctors correct this with medication.
The third reason is a shift in the implantation window. The uterus is only ready to accept an embryo for a short period of time. Sometimes this moment shifts. A special test helps to calculate the ideal time for transfer.
How to increase the chances of success
Doctors give clear instructions for those who want to see two stripes.
Get into a routine. Sleep, healthy food, and exercise work wonders.
Forget about bad habits. Alcohol and cigarettes kill cell quality.
Watch your weight. Extra pounds or a lack thereof affect hormones.
Listen to your doctor. Follow all instructions without taking matters into your own hands.
Think about the future in advance. If you are not ready for children now, freeze your eggs until you are 35.
Even after 40, it is still possible to become parents. The path may not be easy, but medicine provides powerful tools to achieve this goal.
Frequently asked questions FAQ
Is genetic testing of embryos mandatory after 40?
The law does not require it, but doctors strongly recommend it. The risk of chromosomal abnormalities at this age reaches 60-90%. Diagnosis allows you to weed out diseased embryos. This increases the chance of implantation and reduces the risk of miscarriage.
How effective are donor programs after the age of 45?
Your own cells after the age of 44-45 have an effectiveness of 1-2%. Donor oocytes increase the chances to 50-60% and above. The result depends on the youth of the donor, not the age of the future mother.
Is it possible to do IVF without hormones in a natural cycle?
Yes, it is possible. Especially if the ovaries already respond poorly to stimulation. But remember that in a natural cycle, we only get one cell. The chances of getting an embryo on the first try are lower than with stimulation.
How long does the preparation take?
Usually 1 to 3 months. Both partners need to be examined, their hormonal balance adjusted, and, possibly, chronic ailments treated.
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