Egg Quality and IVF

Q. I’m in my early forties, and will probably be doing IVF (in vitro fertilization) to get pregnant. Can I still use my own eggs? What’s the success rate after age 40?

A. IVF has become the most effective fertility treatment for most causes of infertility. The exception is for those who can’t conceive due to egg quality issues, which is the primary cause of infertility in women in their early forties. As the baby boomers continue to age, this has become an increasingly prevalent problem. Nonetheless, IVF can be effective for women in their early forties who have normal screening tests for ovarian reserve (FSH levels, day-3 follicle counts). National delivery rates for women age 40 are 15 to 20 percent, and decline to about 5 percent at age 43 and above. For this reason, some women past age 40 decide to use an egg donor in conjunction with IVF.

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