Though IVF treatment is most effective in the case of younger women, with the right guidance, it still can be an option for older couples who dream of parenthood.
In Vitro Fertilisation is one of the more common treatment options when a couple cannot get pregnant naturally. IVF is a type of assisted reproductive technology applied in treating infertility. With this procedure, eggs are collected, a sample of sperm is obtained, and an egg and sperm are physically mixed in a lab dish. Subsequently, the embryo or embryos are transferred into the uterus.
The fertility clinic Bhiwandi offers hope and care to infertile couples, often journeying hand in hand throughout the rigorous process. In doing this, they provide a tailored approach to treatment and emotional guidance since each step toward reaching the end brings hope with it, as well as a vulnerable level of exposure.
The fertility clinic Kalyan provides comprehensive fertility services to couples, including diagnostic tests, state-of-the-art equipment, and medical treatments. It also provides emotional support and help in mental wellbeing to help couples overcome infertility challenges and enjoy parenthood.
How Are Infertility And Age-Linked?
With increasing age, the chances of becoming pregnant continue to deteriorate further, but much more in the case of women. It is a biological fact, and age factor affects both conceiving naturally and assisted conception via IVF. In women, there is only a finite number of eggs present at birth, and by old age, these remaining ones decrease not only in numbers but also in quality.
Women are usually most fertile during their 20s and early 30s. They start to gradually lose this potential after that and, more dramatically, when they turn 35 years old.
Fertility is declining due to various reasons:
- Diminished Number of Eggs: At birth, a woman has about 1 to 2 million eggs, but this number decreases to between 300,000 and 400,000 by the time she reaches puberty. With every menstrual cycle, a woman loses eggs; therefore, by the time she is 35 years old, the supply of eggs has drastically decreased.
- Decreased Egg Quality: The chances of eggs developing into implantation-capable embryos are reduced with age in women. Poor-quality eggs will raise the chances of miscarriage and decrease the chances of implantation.
- Increased Chances Of Genetic Abnormalities: Older eggs are more prone to genetic abnormalities. So, the probability of a normal, healthy pregnancy is higher due to increased chromosomal abnormality that leads to diseases such as Down syndrome and other associated genetic disorders.
Although it occurs much later than in women, ageing males also lose their fertility due to changes in the motility and quality of their sperm. In men, sperm quality declines steadily after age 40, therefore reducing their chances of impregnating a female. Unlike the female, whose eggs are few in number, the male ejaculates sperm constantly from puberty till death.
What Is the Ideal Age for IVF?
The “right” age for IVF would mostly depend on individual health circumstances and fertility levels. However, the statistics show that women in their late 20s to early 30s are the best candidates for IVF. It is mainly because of the good quality and quantity of eggs. The successful pregnancy rate with IVF often happens at such ages. Studies also say that with age, the probability of successful pregnancy declines, especially after a woman crosses her mid-30s.
Natural ovulation in women decreases with age; so does the quality. However, there is respite, and it is worth mentioning that IVF does not have age-related restrictions. IVF can be performed at any age. However, the success rate of IVF might be lower with age, and yet IVF can be helpful in women who are 35 or aged 40 to 45.
For women aged 35 and above, it might become challenging to conceive their own egg in such a situation. Moreover, the use of older eggs would increase the chances of abortion or a genetic defect in the baby.
This is the reason doctors sometimes advise that a donor’s egg be used when the woman is much older. A doctor will advise on IVF regardless of your age if every other bodily function is normal. For example, one will have a healthy uterus, no diabetes, and a healthy heart.
Conclusion
Getting IVF as early as possible would be the most viable approach to maximising the chances of getting pregnant. However, there is no restriction to start IVF later if you were not in a condition to receive it when you were young. There’s hope, but the prospect of pregnancy may become slim with the passage of time.
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