Why Age Matters

Unfortunately, the “biological clock” is not just a myth. Age can be one of our worst enemies when dealing with infertility.

More and more, as people wait longer before starting a family, age has the ability to become a significant obstacle. After age 30, cases of infertility increases for most individuals with ovaries.

On a positive note, understanding what makes the biological clock “tick” can help individuals and couples to make educated decisions and open the door to discussions about when to start a family and when to seek help for issues related to conception.

AGE & INFERTILITY

The quality of an individual's eggs is vital when trying to conceive. After the age of 35, egg quality and quantity (on average) begin to steadily decline. This regression occurs more rapidly after age 40. As the quality of eggs declines, it becomes more difficult to conceive.

FACTORS TO CONSIDER

For most thirty-year old individuals with ovaries, 12% of their eggs have the potential to become babies. By age forty, only 40% of ‘good eggs’ remains. The chance of miscarriage rises from less than 10% for individuals in their twenties to as high as 90% for people age 45+

Ages 25-35 is the optimal time for a healthy baby

As a person with ovaries ages, the number of eggs they have continuously declines. Hundreds of eggs are lost every month, regardless if they are on birth control or pregnant.

WHAT WE ADVISE

People under age 35 should seek an evaluation after 1 year of trying to conceive (TTC)
People age 35-39 should seek an evaluation after 6 months of TTC
People age 40 or older should seek consultation as soon as possible.

PEOPLE AGE 40+

By the time an individual with ovaries is 40 years old, the chances of becoming pregnant are greatly reduced because of the fewer number of eggs available. Also, the quality of the eggs declines with time. The reduction in quality reduces the chance for normal fertilization and increases the chance of miscarriage and chromosomal defect in an embryo. 

EVERY CASE IS UNIQUE

Each patient has their own personal journey. Every fertility case has its own challenges. The treatment protocol for one person is often very different than that of another patient, even if they are the same age.

From diagnosis to treatment we utilize personalized tests and treatments to help our patients make smart choices and achieve positive outcomes.

Here’s a small sampling of what tests and technologies we will utilize to help you achieve your dream of parenthood:

EGG QUANTITY TESTING

Via our preliminary Day 3 lab testing, we measure egg quantity via both hormones present in the blood and traditional ultrasound. Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH), and ultrasound tests give us an accurate read on your ovarian reserve/egg supply.

EGG QUALITY & GENETIC TESTING

As the quality of a individual's eggs begin to decline, there is also an increased risk for chromosomal abnormalities in embryos. For people in their late 30's and age 40+, this risk is high due to the quality of the remaining eggs in the ovarian reserve.

Although we cannot determine the quality of eggs prior to treatment, age gives us a good indication. Genetic testing, done in conjunction with in vitro fertilization (IVF) before the embryo is implanted back into the uterus, can predict embryo quality and help us to select chromosomally-normal embryos for implantation.

IVF with genetic testing selects embryos which have the best chance of success and will lead to better live birth rates. This technology is especially crucial for people of advanced age or those who have experienced a miscarriage.

Improving embryo selection and predicting chromosomal abnormalities are especially valuable if you have had previously failed IVF cycles.