In the world of infertility treatments, In vitro fertilization (IVF) has become a revolutionary treatment. Not only does this process ensure high success rates, it is also one of the safest measures for infertility. That said, this technique is relatively new, especially in Nepal. Therefore, there are a lot of things that people do not know. One such aspect is the viability of IVF after a specific age threshold, such as 40. But why 40? Well, it is because people generally know that 35 is good enough for IVF, while the fertility rate after 45 is a bit too low. So the question here is, is it too late for IVF at 40? In this blog we discuss various aspects of IVF at 40 and whether it is too late for IVF at 40. So with this in mind, let's get started!
So first things first, is there still a chance of natural conception after 40? Well yes, there is. However, the chances of natural conception after 40 is very low. It is roughly around 5% for every menstrual cycle. There are only around 5000 to 10,000 eggs left by the age of 40. Furthermore, there are risks associated with conception after 40 as well. This includes pregnancy risks such as increased risk of miscarriage due to degradation of egg quality. Additionally, the age of males also affects the chances of pregnancy as well. If the age of the male is above 40, there can be an increased risk of genetic abnormalities. This is because the sperm quality decreases after the age of 40.
In other words, the good news here is that there are still chances of a natural pregnancy after the age of 40. The bad news is that the chances of getting pregnant after the age of 40 are low, and there are risks associated with the pregnancy. The risks include an increased chance of miscarriage and genetic disorders. Additionally, unlike general misconception, the risk factor comes from the age of both parents. The male partner may face issues with reduced sperm motility and quality after 40, while the female can face the issue of egg quantity and quality. So, Is it too late for IVF treatment at 40? The simple answer is nope, it is not.
From what we have said so far, you should have a general idea regarding the factors affecting natural pregnancy after 40. You now also know that the chance of natural pregnancy is low. So what can you do? Well, one of the best methods to get pregnant after 40 is through the process of IVF. Why? It is because, during the IVF process, the experts select the best eggs and sperm from both parents before fertilizing them in laboratory conditions. This bypasses the issues that natural pregnancy has of low-quality eggs and sperm.
Furthermore, as per your request, the experts can also implement additional techniques, such as genetic testing, to ensure that the sperm and eggs do not have any genetic drawbacks. The implementation of genetic testing gives hope to women who wish to become parents after 40 but are scared of their offspring having genetic disorders. So, if you are among those parents, we have good news for you. You can fulfill your dream of parenthood even after the age of 40.
Now that you have a general idea about the chances of getting pregnant after the age of 40 and IVF treatment for women after 40, let's talk about the popular IVF treatments after 40. Some of the most common IVF treatments for women after 40 are as follows:
IVF by itself is a great procedure for women after 40. In vitro fertilization, or IVF for short, involves stimulating the ovaries to produce eggs and retrieving them from the ovaries before fertilizing them in a laboratory with the sperm. As you may guess, this process also involves selecting the best sperm and eggs from the partners, ensuring that they are of high quality, increasing the chances of pregnancy, and bypassing the risk factors caused by the progressing age.
Another popular IVF treatment for women after 40 is IVF with Preimplantation Genetic Testing, or PGT for short. The basic process of IVF with PGT is the same as that of regular IVF. However, before the eggs are implanted with the sperm, both the eggs and sperm go through a genetic testing process. This process tests the eggs and sperm for genetic abnormalities, which further enhances the chances of a successful pregnancy. Furthermore, it also reduces the risk of abnormalities in children and abnormal childbirth.
IVF with frozen eggs is another popular form of IVF after 40. In this process, the experts use frozen eggs rather than fresh eggs retrieved from the ovaries. The frozen eggs can come from either a donor or the parents themselves. The key point is not where the eggs from from but the frozen state of the egg. The frozen eggs retain their fertility regardless of the time. Therefore, the female patient can freeze their eggs at an earlier date and use them later on. During IVF with frozen eggs, the eggs are retrieved from their storage and thawed before following the general IVF procedure.
As mentioned prior, you can also conduct IVF with donor eggs. The good news here is that the process is rather streamlined and simple. The ideal eggs are chosen from a collection of donated eggs before being fertilized with the sperm of the male partner. Once the embryo is formed, it is transplanted into your uterus for natural pregnancy.
These are some of the popular forms of IVF treatment at 40. Besides the ones we mentioned here, there can be several other forms of fertility treatments you can get depending on your circumstances. Therefore, you should always consult an expert before starting your fertility journey.
Infertility is still a major issue, even in modern times. This is especially highlighted by the fact that infertility increases along with age. While you may know that fertility is high before 35, you may still question if you can get pregnant after 40. The simple answer is you can still get pregnant after 40; however, the chances are low, and there are risks. To mitigate these risks, IVF treatment after 40 is one of the best options. In this blog, we discussed the chances of getting pregnant after 40, IVF treatment after 40, and the types of IVF treatment at 40. We hope you found this helpful. If you want further insights into the world of infertility, do check out some of our other blogs. And if you want the best IVF service in Nepal, feel free to contact us at Hardik IVF and Fertility Center, IVF center in Nepal. Thank you for reading till the end.
Yes, IVF is successful at 40, albeit with a lesser chance than when it is done earlier.
The latest age to do IVF is 50; however, for most patients, the upper age is around the mid-40s.
Yes, you can. However, the chances of natural conception at 40 is only around 5%.
No, 43 is not too late for IVF, but it is near the upper age limit for IVF; therefore, the chances of successful pregnancy are somewhat lower than if done at an earlier age.
At age 40, there is only around 1 in 3 IVF cycles.
There are only around 5000 to 10,000 eggs left at 40.
IVF is still safe after 45, but since you are nearing the upper age limit for IVF, the success is lesser than if done at an earlier age.
Women above 40 have a lower chance of natural conception and have a higher chance of miscarriage along with a baby with genetic defects.