Nov 17, 2021

IVF Success Rates by Age [What You Need To Know]

Chances are, if you’re considering IVF, you’re probably wondering how much your age will be a factor in getting the results you are hoping for. Is there an IVF age limit? Honestly, this is a totally natural thing to think about when you’re considering any medical procedure, particularly one that involves your body’s ability to reproduce.

Rather than focus on “ivf success rates by age,” we thought we’d break down some considerations that will factor into your experience at different ages. The truth is, everyone’s IVF journey is different and we like to think there is no “best age” for IVF treatment - just different options and expectations depending on your personal situation.

35 and Under:

When should you start considering IVF treatment?

If you have been trying to get pregnant for more than a year you should probably start thinking about reaching out to a fertility specialist. At this age, it generally takes five to six months to conceive. Of course everyone is different, so if it’s been more than a year and you still haven’t gotten pregnant, this doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll need IVF, it just means it’s time to start investigating.

35 and Under Success Rate of IVF: In women under 35 the percentage of live births per egg retrieval is 54.5%.

35 to 40:

When should you start considering IVF treatment?

If you have been trying to conceive for more than 6 months. As you likely know, as women get older it not only becomes harder to get pregnant because egg quantity and quality can decline, but it can also be harder to bring a baby to term. A fertility specialist can walk you through options for your individual situation which may include IVF.

35 to 40 Success Rates of IVF: This is where things start to get a little bit harder to predict. ​​For women ages 35 to 37, the percentage of live births per egg retrieval is 41.1%, however for women ages 38 to 40, the percentage of live births per egg retrieval is 26.7%.

Though these percentages may look a little bleak out of context, please don’t be discouraged. It’s important to remember that, on average, most people go through two to three cycles of IVF before they have their baby. Instead try to mentally prepare for the experience of going through multiple cycles of IVF to help manage your expectations.

40 to 50:

When should you start considering IVF treatment?

Generally speaking women in this age range are at a much higher risk of serious complications with their pregnancies. For this reason we recommend seeking the advice of a fertility specialist before trying to conceive to get a realistic sense of what their options are and what a realistic approach would look like.

40 to 50 Success Rate of IVF: From 41-42 the likelihood of achieving a live birth from one egg retrieval is less than 20%. In women above age 42, the rate is less than 5%. This is why many women decide to use an egg donor which can increase the live birth rate up to nearly 50%.

50 and Above:

When should you start considering IVF treatment?

The likelihood of conceiving, having a successful pregnancy and birth at 50 or older is very low. For this reason we strongly recommend that you consider seeing a fertility specialist before trying to conceive and even then, you will likely need to use an egg donor.

Other Considerations:

How does your partner’s age factor into IVF treatment?

While not as dramatic, age still has a significant impact on men’s fertility. While women start to notice a significant decline in their 30s, men begin to see a decline in their 40s - dropping to about a 43% chance of fertilization. By the time they reach 50 that number drops down to 30%.

Does your insurance cover IVF treatment for people in your age group?

If your insurance covers IVF there is a chance that there might be some qualifications for eligibility. These usually have to do with how your insurance provider defines “infertility,” but can also include considerations regarding age. We actually wrote a blog with an extensive list of what to ask your insurance provider on the topic.  

Regardless of if your insurance covers IVF, you should know that there are financing options that can make it accessible for you. Future Family offers low-interest fertility loans that make paying for your fertility treatments much easier. Not only do we help spread out the cost of your treatment to make IVF more accessible, we also consolidate all of your bills into one simple payment so you have less to keep track of during an already intense period.

Best Age for IVF Treatment?

In addition, when you work with Future Family you have a team of fertility specialists in your corner who have been through it countless times before and will be by your side every step of the way. Pre-qualify for a fertility loan today.


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