Posted on October 19, 2020in IVF Abroad,
The number of women over 40 having a baby has risen four-fold in the past 30 years – and in the UK for instance, births to women over 35 now represent one in five of all babies born. So, what about IVF at 50 – is there a best clinic for over 50 and should IVF over 50 be offered to women?
IVF at 50
Let us start with the facts. Biologically speaking, you are born with all the eggs you will ever have. Once you start menstruating you will generally lose a mature egg each cycle and your overall egg count will decrease dramatically year on year until menopause. In fact, it is estimated that the average woman has just 1,000 oocytes (also called egg cells) by the time she reaches age 51. This is a drastic drop from 500,000 during puberty and 25,000 in her mid-30s.
Getting pregnant with fewer egg cells is not impossible, but it may have an impact on your ability to get pregnant naturally. Egg quality also decreases with age, which can make conception difficult or increase the risk of chromosomal abnormalities, which can make early pregnancy loss more likely.
Therefore, IVF for older woman is not impossible but as we age this possibility does tend to get smaller and smaller.
Looking After Your Fertility
IVF at 50 is not impossible but you do need to ensure that you are fertility fit in order to give yourself the best chance of having a successful IVF procedure. If you are above the age of 50 and are considering IVF these tips can help maintain a healthy body;
- Get A Fertility Appraisal
If you are aged over 50 and are considering trying to get pregnant you should arrange for a fertility appraisal from a specialist medic. Baseline scans and tests will demonstrate your level of fertility fitness and you will be able to discuss options available to you. The chances of you being able to use your own eggs will be slim but your medical practitioner will advise you what next steps might be appropriate. - Eat Healthy
When a woman in her 20s or 30s plans to start a family, she is told to eat healthy foods, exercise, and follow a healthy lifestyle. It is no different for women in their 50’s. Conceiving at this age is exceptionally difficult, therefore it is imperative that you need to watch your health if you are planning to get pregnant. Make sure that you eat healthy foods, get enough exercise, and rest. - Quit Smoking
If you are planning to get pregnant in your 50s and you smoke and/or drink – don’t! Smoking, drinking, or drug use can have a negative effect on your chances of having a healthy pregnancy. - How Old is Too Old?
How old is too old for IVF treatment? The question of whether an upper age limit should be applied across treatments and countries is one which has divided the medical and scientific communities for some time. Should IVF for older woman be limited to women under a certain age because of the lower chances of success and higher chances of medical problems arising from the treatment? Or should we let the patient decide, particularly when they are paying for a specific service?
Advanced reproductive age for women is generally defined as 37/38 and we have seen how, as a woman ages fewer eggs become available for maturation. However, more important than quantity, is a woman’s egg quality — that is, whether her eggs are genetically normal.
The best IVF clinics for over 50 should therefore offer a personalised fertility appraisal for every woman it sees looking for IVF over 50 to ascertain the quality of the eggs she has or whether, in the case of egg donation she is physically (and emotionally) prepared for the procedure.
I am over 50 seeking IVF treatment – where can I go for treatment?
Different countries and clinics have various approaches to offering IVF for older woman and we have provided a snapshot of some of these countries below. Interestingly, in many countries there is no specific legislation which refers to the ‘maximum age of female fertility patients’ but individual clinics have adopted policies which have been suggested by their respective regulatory bodies. The ‘upper age for male fertility patients’ is an entirely different scenario!
UK:
While there is no legal upper age limit as yet for IVF treatment in the UK, funded cycles are restricted by age. The NHS is steered by commissioning guidance drawn up by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) which states if funding is available women under 40 should receive three full cycles of IVF whilst women aged 40–42 who meet certain eligibility criteria should receive one full cycle. In the private sector specific clinics publicly state on their websites that they will consider treating women aged up until 55.
Spain:
There is no law surrounding the maximum age for treatment but the vast majority of clinics will only treat people up to the age of 50 years. Some clinics might accept older female patients up to 52 based on individual circumstances.
Czech Republic:
The age limit for women undergoing IVF treatment is 48 + 364 days.
North Cyprus:
45 years of age is the legal maximum age for female IVF patients although clinics can use their discretion with patients up to 55 years as long as they meet certain criteria and have undergone specific tests for “Fitness for Pregnancy” and receive approval from the Ministry of Health.
IVF over 50 – clinics in North Cyprus >>>
Greece:
The age limit for women undergoing IVF treatment is 54 years.
For reviews check out our post about IVF In Greece.
Ukraine:
There is no legal age limit for IVF treatment in Ukraine. However, it is generally accepted that no access to treatment is allowed over the age of 51 years due to potential health problems. That said, policies are decided by individual clinics.
Poland:
There is no legal age limit specified by legislation but each case is decided individually by clinics after a medical review.
Russia:
The legal age limit for a woman undergoing IVF is 50 although clinics do offer to treat women over this age.
Latvia:
There is no legal age limit specified by legislation but each case is decided individually by clinics.
United States:
Most fertility clinics set an age limit, often between 42 and 45 years old, for a woman to use her own eggs. However, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) committee opinion concludes that “limited treatment may be provided after a process of explicit education and examination of values.” A number of clinics therefore do offer IVF for older woman but as you would expect this treatment can be very expensive compared to that offered by providers in Europe.
India:
There is no legal age restriction for couples who want to have IVF treatment in India, but the state-funded Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) advises against implanting embryos in women over 50
Australia:
There’s no national legislation imposing a maximum age for IVF in Australia, and doctors are divided over whether there should be an age limit. Guidelines in some states, such as South Australia, recommend 50 years as the maximum age
The provision of IVF treatment for women over 50 is arbitrary and countries have different views. Some are restricted by law, others are guided by regulatory guidance. There remains however a number of options available if you are seeking IVF over 50 within Europe and further afield.
IVF at 50 – questions that are often asked
I am 51 – does that mean I can access any IVF treatment?
No, not necessarily, it is advisable to contact the clinic of your choice and ask if it might be possible for an individual fertility appraisal to be undertaken. If it suggests you have viable eggs you may have options. Alternatively, if you are in good health there are a number of clinics that might consider you as a candidate for egg or embryo donation treatment.
I am 52 and live in the UK, would you recommend treatment outside Europe?
This will be both a personal and logistical decision. There are non European countries that will possibly consider you for treatment but do your research beforehand to see what success rates are quoted for your age group and insist on a personal assessment before committing to treatment.
I am 50 but my male partner is 60 does this rule out IVF with my own eggs?
Again, not necessarily but this will depend on the viability of your eggs – legislation around the upper age of the male patient only exists in a limited number of countries.
Is it safe for the older patient to travel for IVF treatment?
It is understandable that any patient who travels for fertility treatment will experience a certain level of anxiety and this is no different for the older patient. We advise any patient, whatever their age, to research your options; speak to the treatment provider(s); ask questions that are relevant to your specific requirements and take your time before deciding on a specific country.
What are my chances of success of IVF with my own eggs over 50?
Clinics assess patients individually and your success rates will depend on a number of factors. You should realise however that the chances are ordinarily low. It is estimated that the odds of getting pregnant using your own eggs is around 1% so its difficult, but not impossible.
You may be interested in reading IVF for Single Women.
Last updated: December 16th, 2022By Aleksander Wiecki
FAQs
Which IVF clinic has the highest success rate? ›
PFCLA's success rates are among the top in the nation, with a 53.1% live birth rate per embryo transfer than the U.S. average of 37.8%. That means intended parents coming to PFCLA have a 40% higher chance of taking home a baby than the national average.
Can a 50 year old woman do IVF? ›Women over the age of 50 are generally not considered candidates for IVF. However, women of any age with access to viable eggs or embryos (her own or from a donor) and a receptive uterus (her own or with a gestational surrogate) is capable of achieving motherhood through IVF.
Can I have IVF at 55? ›However, it is not recommended to attempt IVF over the age of 45 years with your own eggs, as very few women conceive and have a baby with their own eggs at that age.
What is the oldest a woman can have IVF? ›There isn't a standard maximum age for IVF. It can and has been performed on women in their late 40s and 50s. With that said, success rates decrease with patient age and the risk of pregnancy complications increases. As a result, the general upper age limit for IVF is somewhere between the early to mid-40s.
How many IVF are successful first try? ›The national average for women younger than 35 able to become pregnant by in-vitro fertilization (IVF) on the first try (meaning, the first egg retrieval) is 55%. However, that number drops steadily as the woman ages.
Can a 52 year old woman do IVF? ›Women over the age of 50 are generally not considered candidates for IVF. However, women of any age with access to viable eggs or embryos (her own or from a donor) and a receptive uterus (her own or with a gestational surrogate) is capable of achieving motherhood through IVF.
How many eggs does a woman have at 50? ›How many eggs does a woman have at 50? By the age of 50, you may still have around 1,000 eggs in your ovaries but they may not be healthy enough to start a pregnancy. Most women hit menopause between the ages of 45 and 55 years and that's when the reproductive activity completely shuts down.
Can you get pregnant at 52 in menopause? ›After menopause, a woman no longer produces eggs and thus cannot become pregnant naturally. But although eggs succumb to this biological clock, pregnancy is still possible using a donor egg.
Can a woman at 55 get pregnant? ›As you get older, you have fewer eggs, and they are more likely to have abnormalities. Most women who get pregnant after 50 use donor eggs. It's also possible to use your own eggs that were previously frozen. Women over 50 who become pregnant with donor eggs face similar risks of complications as younger women.
Can you do IVF in menopause? ›Yes. With the help of IVF, women who have gone through menopause can still get pregnant, whether menopause came early or at a more expected time. You will need to use donor eggs, but chances are that you can still carry and deliver a healthy baby.
Can you get pregnant at 53? ›
Decline in Fertility
That decline picks up speed after age 37, making it increasingly difficult for a woman to conceive with her own eggs. Experts estimate that after 50 a woman's chances of getting pregnant the old-fashioned way fall to maybe 1%. And most women hit menopause and stop menstruating around 51.
During IVF , mature eggs are collected (retrieved) from ovaries and fertilized by sperm in a lab. Then the fertilized egg (embryo) or eggs (embryos) are transferred to a uterus. One full cycle of IVF takes about three weeks.
How can I make my uterus stronger for IVF? ›Getting an estrogen boost may help improve the uterine lining over time. Furthermore, supplements such as iron, digestive enzymes, fish oils, and vitamin E can help. Some studies show L-Arginine, turmeric, and even low-dose aspirin can also help.
Can I have IVF at 53? ›In particular, women have to be up to 53 ½ years old, as they should be no more than 54 exactly on the day of their embryo transfer. IVF success rate in our country is around 55%.
Is a 50 year old woman fertile? ›Women do not remain fertile until menopause. The average age for menopause is 51, but most women become unable to have a successful pregnancy sometime in their mid-40s. These percentages are true for natural conception as well as conception using fertility treatment, including in vitro fertilization (IVF).
How can I reverse my menopause and get pregnant? ›In vitro fertilization (IVF)
It is possible to conceive with the help of assisted reproductive technology, such as IVF, both during perimenopause and after menopause. Any eggs that remain after menopause will not be viable. This may also be true of eggs that the body releases in the years before menopause.
At birth, most girls have about 2 million eggs, at adolescence that number has gone down to about 400, 000, at age 37 there remain about 25,000. By age 51 when women have their menopause they have about 1000 immature eggs but these are not fertile.
Can I have healthy eggs at 50? ›Fertility treatments have vastly improved over the past few years, which allow older women to conceive and have healthy children into their 50's.
How many eggs left at 52? ›By 50, women are likely to only have a few hundred if any eggs left at all. The average age of menopause is around 51-52 years of age, though smoking and other factors may cause the onset of menopause earlier . Chemotherapy and radiation notably have a very toxic effect on egg quantity.
What is the age of the oldest woman to get pregnant naturally? ›Maria del Carmen Bousada de Lara is the oldest verified mother; she was aged 66 years 358 days when she gave birth to twins; she was 130 days older than Adriana Iliescu, who gave birth in 2005 to a baby girl.
What age is menopausal baby? ›
For most women, this occurs somewhere between the ages of 40 and 55, with an average age of 51. Once you've reached menopause, your LH and FSH levels remain high and your estrogen and progesterone levels remain low. You no longer ovulate and you cannot conceive a child.
Can you get pregnant at 50 in perimenopause? ›You can still get pregnant during perimenopause defined as the years leading up to your final period. This “menopausal transition” brings unpredictable ovulation cycles as estrogen and progesterone hormone levels go up and down.
Why are some IVF clinics better than others? ›Larger clinics typically have more resources for patients, and often have laboratories that do more cycles and thus have more data to use to fix their processes. On the other hand, a higher percentage of patients (69% vs 61%) at small clinics feel like they are treated with greater care and decency.
Where does IVF usually fail? ›Most fertility specialists believe that in more than 95% of IVF failures it is due to arrest of the embryos. Embryonic arrest is quite often due to chromosomal or other genetic abnormalities in those embryos that made them too “weak” to continue normal development and sustained implantation.
Can you negotiate IVF cost? ›These prices are generally flat and often represent the costs patients are typically quoted when they call a clinic to ask what IVF will cost. We've seen patients negotiate discounts for up to 10% and, according to our data, 27% of all U.S. patients have this fee covered entirely by insurance.
How long is IVF waiting list? ›The standard is for 90% of eligible patients to be screened at an IVF Centre within 52 weeks of receipt of a referral from a secondary care/acute consultant.
How many IVF treatments does it take to get pregnant? ›The Greatest Percentage of IVF Success Occurs in Six Cycles
From that comprehensive analysis, which included results from both fresh and frozen embryo transfers, researchers found that the average live birth rate for couples participating in six IVF cycles was 65.3%.
However, the average wait time in London is 34 weeks, compared to England's average of 40 weeks.
How do I choose a good fertility clinic? ›These include factors like cost, success rates, multiple birth policy and the support they offer. You will also want to consider location of the clinic, and whether they can offer you appointments to suit perhaps early morning or after work.
Do IVF clinics make mistakes? ›Unfortunately, at The Law Office of Conrad Curry we routinely see several different types of cases arising from mistakes made by IVF clinics including: – Inaccuracy of non-invasive pre-implantation genetic testing resulting in potential inaccurate classification and/or destruction of viable embryos.
Why is IVF more successful in Spain? ›
Based on the abundance of donors in Spain and its regulated and innovative treatment landscape, Spanish IVF success rates are favourable. This is because donors are younger (between 18 and 35) and they undergo rigorous tests (including genetic and physiology tests) to ensure high-quality eggs and sperm.
Why is IVF more successful in Greece? ›One of the main reasons that couples choose Greece as a destination for infertility treatments is the country's progressive IVF legislation. It allows voluntary and anonymous egg donation; the transfer of more than one embryo; sperm, egg, and embryo freezing; prenatal checks, and surrogacy.