IVF Success Rates by Age
Age is one of the most important factors affecting in vitro fertilization (IVF) success rates. Below, we share IVF success rates, by age group, as reported in 2011.
These rates show the percent of women giving birth after an embryo transfer with IVF. First, we share IVF success rates for women that used fresh embryos. The second group shows birth rates for women that used frozen embryos with IVF.
IVF success rates with fresh embryos - 2011
- Women under 35: 46.2 %
- Women 35-37: 38.4 %
- Women 38-40: 27.4 %
- Women 41-42: 16.6 %
- Women 42: 6.5 %
IVF success rates with frozen embryos - 2011
- Women under 35: 39.3 %
- Women 35-37: 35.7 %
- Women 38-40: 30.3 %
- Women 41-42: 24.5 %
- Women 42: 16.5 %
You can see that the older women usually have lower IVF success rates. IVF success rates tend to be higher for younger women. Two reasons for this include:
- The quality of a younger woman's eggs is usually better.
- Younger women usually produce more eggs for retrieval with the in vitro fertilization process.
Remember that IVF success rates are affected by your specific infertility diagnosis and your age.
Find out your chances for IVF success
Donor egg IVF success rates
If you are older than 35 or 40 and are having trouble getting pregnant with IVF, ask your doctor about donor eggs. When donor eggs are used, IVF success rates increase for women over 35. When it comes to pregnancy, the age of the egg is often more critical than the age of the mother.
- In 2011, 54.9 % of fresh donor egg embryo transfers resulted in live birth.
- 35.7 % of frozen and thawed donor egg embryo transfers resulted in live birth in 2011.
IVF success rates and embryo transfer
If you are over 35, your doctor may want to transfer a higher number of embryos to increase your chances of IVF success. Typically, doctors do recommend that more eggs be transferred for older mothers. See the recommendations below:
- Under 35: 1-2 embryos
- 35 to 37: 2 embryos
- 38 to 40: 2 to 3 embryos
- 41 to 42: 3 to 5 embryos
Know that this transfer of more eggs may increase your chances of becoming pregnant with multiples. Having multiples is associated with an increase in complications during pregnancy and childbirth. Still, more eggs transferred will likely maximize your chances of getting pregnant if over 35.
Ask your doctor about IVF success rates by age
Talk with your doctor. Openly discuss your medical records, including test results and fertility history. Then ask about the benefits and risks of the in vitro fertilization process to see if this ART therapy may help you realize your dreams of starting a family.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Report: National Summary
- Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology: Clinic Summary Report