IVF Treatment at Advanced Maternal Age
A woman’s age is a crucial factor in fertility treatment. However, pregnancy is still possible in women aged 40 and above who are considered to have adequate ovarian reserve. By applying preimplantation genetic testing (PGT), pregnancy rates of approximately 25–30% can be achieved. With IVF treatment in Cyprus, we can increase your chances of pregnancy at an advanced age.
Hormone tests performed on the third day of the menstrual cycle and ovarian reserve assessment through ultrasound may indicate that ovarian function is suitable for treatment. In such cases, IVF procedures can be performed up to the age of 45. However, for women aged 38 and older, it is recommended to evaluate embryos for chromosomal normality using preimplantation genetic testing before transfer.
Today, a wide range of treatment options is available for nearly all types of male infertility. In contrast, one of the biggest challenges in fertility treatment remains advanced maternal age. A newborn girl has approximately 1–2 million eggs at birth. By the time of the first menstrual period, this number decreases to around 250,000–300,000 and continues to decline until menopause. As age advances, ovarian reserve steadily diminishes, with a significant acceleration in egg loss after the age of 37.
In addition to the reduction in ovarian reserve, egg quality also declines with age. This decrease negatively affects the ability to conceive and reduces the likelihood of having a healthy baby. Therefore, early pregnancy loss is more common in older women compared to younger age groups. Maternal age and the limited number of eggs retrieved are among the most significant factors influencing IVF success rates. Nevertheless, in women aged 40 and above with adequate ovarian reserve, pregnancy rates of 25–30% can be achieved when preimplantation genetic testing is applied.
In women of advanced maternal age undergoing assisted reproductive techniques, preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) can be performed to increase the chances of achieving a healthy ongoing pregnancy. With this technique, embryos are examined for chromosomal abnormalities before being transferred to the uterus. Since chromosomal abnormalities are more common at advanced ages, transferring only chromosomally normal embryos significantly improves success rates and reduces the risk of miscarriage.
In some cases, diminished ovarian reserve may also be observed in younger women, while some older women may respond better than expected to ovarian stimulation. Therefore, for women seeking to conceive, detailed evaluation of ovarian reserve through comprehensive examination, ultrasound imaging, and hormonal testing is essential to accurately determine the likelihood of success and provide appropriate counseling.
Selecting the most appropriate treatment method based on individualized assessment is of great importance. When patients feel confident that the correct treatment approach has been chosen, their trust and cooperation increase. This, in turn, reduces psychological stress and facilitates a smoother treatment process.