IVF for over 40s

If you’re aged 40 or over and hoping to have a child, we understand the unique challenges and offer dedicated support to guide you. IVF for over 40s can still be successful, and we tailor our treatment options to give you the best possible chance. From your first consultation, you’ll receive personalised care from our expert team. Whether you’re considering IVF at 40 or beyond, we’re here to support you every step of the way on your fertility journey.

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Can I have IVF over the age of 40?

IVF is still a viable fertility treatment option for those aged 40 and over, but it’s important to understand that IVF success rates over 40 are typically lower. As you age, your ovarian reserve gradually declines, with a more noticeable drop after 35. Egg quality also reduces, which can increase the risk of miscarriage, IVF failure, or chromosomal abnormalities.

If you're considering IVF at 40 or beyond, a fertility assessment is an important first step. It gives us a clear picture of your reproductive health and helps us tailor your treatment. For those aged over 45, we often recommend using donor eggs to improve your chance of success.

Preservation

Treatment options for over 40s

Mother, father and baby IVF success-rates

Fresh egg IVF cycle

If the results of your fertility assessment show that IVF using your own eggs is possible, you can begin your treatment. During IVF, the eggs are collected from the ovaries following a course of hormone medication, and fertilised with sperm in the lab.

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Frozen egg IVF cycle

If you've previously gone through treatment to freeze your eggs, these will be thawed for the next phase of your fertility journey. Your eggs will be fertilised with sperm, and the highest-quality embryo will be transferred into the uterus for implantation.

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Frozen embryo IVF cycle

If you have embryos frozen from a previous IVF cycle, the highest-quality embryo will be thawed ready for transfer into the uterus. Depending on your circumstances, the embryo can be transferred in either a natural or medicated cycle.

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Donor egg IVF cycle

If you're undergoing treatment using donor eggs,we can help to match you to your ideal donor through our comprehensive donation programme. We'll provide specialist counselling to guide you throughout your donor conception journey.

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IVF success after 40

We know how important success rates are when choosing a fertility clinic, so we’re open and transparent about our results to give you access to the most accurate data.

We share our IVF success rates for each clinic by age, up to the age of 44, as verified by the HFEA (Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority), the independent body that oversees and regulates the quality and safety of all fertility treatment in the UK.

If you have any questions at all about success rates, please contact us and one of our team will make sure you have the information you need.

How can I improve my chances of IVF success?

Declining egg quality is the main reason why many women over 40 struggle to conceive, making it harder to achieve a successful IVF cycle. However, there are lifestyle changes that may help support your fertility and potentially improve your egg quality. These include stopping smoking, taking folic acid and vitamin D supplements, reducing alcohol and caffeine intake, following a balanced diet, and staying physically active.

Making these changes ahead of IVF treatment can be especially beneficial if you're considering IVF at 40 or beyond, helping to give your body the best possible conditions for conception.

We can give you more advice tailored to your individual situation, and support you to make these important lifestyle changes when using us for your IVF Treatment.

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Book your fertility assessment

Every fertility journey starts with a fertility assessment. We carry out a range of diagnostic tests to get a detailed overview of your fertility health. From there, we'll develop a personalised treatment plan to suit your specific needs.

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