IVF For Over 40s | Success Rates & Treatment Options

Embryo quality

Many IVF treatments are unsuccessful as the embryos fail to implant or the pregnancy ends in spontaneous miscarriage. The reason for this is that many of the transferred embryos are not chromosomally normal. Research suggests that more than 50% of human eggs have chromosomal problems and that this increases with age, so it’s likely to be the main reason older patients have fewer chromosomally normal embryos.

Learn about IVF with donor embryos

The receptivity and health of the endometrium

The uterine lining must be receptive to embryo implantation. When transferring an embryo, the endometrium must be in a receptive state to allow successful implantation - this period of receptivity is called the window of implantation, and it varies between different people. We can test to assess both endometrial health and the best time for embryo transfer

When you are considering fertility treatment, we will be completely open and realistic with you about which of our treatments offer you the best chance of success and what your own individual chances of success are. We will only recommend treatment that suits your needs, with complete transparency at all times.

Success rates IVF for over 40s

Women over 40 have fewer eggs in their ovaries which means fewer embryos will be created. This, combined with diminishing quality of the eggs, leads to lower IVF success rates. We advise caution attempting IVF with your own eggs because of the lower chances of success.

Use of donor eggs gives a much more realistic chance of having a baby as egg donors are younger than 35, and the chances of successful treatment are higher. Some tests and techniques we may recommend:

IVF with donor eggs

Our egg donation programme is one of the most successful in Europe, with excellent success rates that are driven by science and outstanding levels of patient care.

Learn more about IVF with donor eggs

Pre-Implantation Genetic Testing (PGT-A)

Pre-implantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A), is a genetic screening test performed on embryos produced during an IVF treatment cycle. PGT-A assesses chromosome numbers in developing embryos, to identify the embryos which are chromosomal normal. PGT-A does not improve embryo quality but it does give us information about your embryo's genetic health to help us select viable embryos for transfer, which can reduce the time to pregnancy.

Learn more about PGT-A

Endometrial Receptivity Analysis (ERA)

We can use ERA to assess the optimum time to transfer your embryo so that it has the best chance of implanting and establishing a pregnancy. The womb lining (or endometrium) is only receptive to implantation for a short period, known as the implantation window.

The main benefit of the ERA test is that we can provide a personalised embryo transfer timing, optimising the chances of implantation.

Learn more about Endometrial Receptivity Analysis (ERA)

EMMA and ALICE tests

Endometrial health is one of the key factors which can impact reproductive health, in fact studies have shown that as high as 20% of fertility problems are potentially caused by issues with the endometrium.

EMMA and ALICE are screening tests that assess bacteria in the uterine cavity. We can recommend various approaches depending on test results, including probiotic treatment to balance the endometrial flora.

Learn more about EMMA and ALICE