How Age Impacts Fertility In Women
About 11% of women experience challenges conceiving, with many diagnosed with infertility. A large contingent of these women struggle to get pregnant due to the simple issue of advanced age. Women tend to have trouble conceiving from age 35, with more severe fertility challenges from 40 and beyond. Consistent infertility issues can lead many to try in vitro fertilization (IVF), an innovative reproductive therapy. IVF, too, can be a dead end if women are unable to produce viable eggs. At this point, donor eggs can help women with age-related infertility achieve the dream of starting or growing a family.
The story of age-related infertility
Every year, especially from age 35, women of reproductive age will have fewer chances of conceiving naturally. Women are born with a set number of follicles in the ovaries that can mature into the eggs needed for pregnancy. By the time a woman reaches reproductive age, this reserve declines significantly. Every month, at least 1 egg is released through ovulation and eventually menstruation if none are fertilized. The quantity and quality continue this rapid decline, leading to age-related infertility. Some women face premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), which triggers menopause before 40. Older women are also at a higher risk of having additional underlying fertility challenges. Endometriosis, fallopian tube blockages, and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) are common conditions that lead to infertility.
Understanding IVF
IVF is a multi-step process that falls under the assisted reproductive technology (ART) banner. The idea is to create embryos outside of the body, bypassing any medical conditions or physical ailments causing infertility. Multiple viable eggs are extracted from a woman's ovaries after a careful hormone medication regimen lasting 10-14 days. A doctor or fertility specialist extracts the eggs from the ovaries using a minimally invasive procedure. The eggs are then combined with a prepared sperm sample from a partner or donor to create multiple embryos. A single embryo is then implanted into the hopeful parent's uterus. After a 2-week waiting period, the fertility team will test for pregnancy. IVF has high success rates but can require multiple implantation cycles lasting several months.
Why you may need donor eggs
High-quality eggs and sperm have a greater chance of successful IVF outcomes. Older patients with age-related infertility can provide eggs that may result in low-quality embryos. These embryos can lead to repeated IVF failures or miscarriages. Donor eggs help women with POF who can no longer produce more eggs for IVF. With donor eggs, another woman provides the follicles needed for more viable embryos. Donor eggs can be given freely by a friend or family member or acquired via an egg bank. The ideal donor egg comes from a younger candidate with a healthy ovarian reserve. Comprehensive physical, reproductive, and psychological testing ensures the patient accesses the best possible donor.
Can they make a difference?
Donor eggs can be a difference-maker for women facing age-related infertility. The ideal donor will produce multiple healthy eggs using the same hormone medication process in IVF. There is a higher chance of creating embryos that lead to successful IVF cycles. Studies show that 42% of IVF cases using fresh donor eggs result in pregnancy. Continued research reveals that women with age-related infertility have a higher chance of success using donor eggs.
Embrace the power of donor eggs
Women are attempting to get pregnant later due to career, health, or relationship reasons. Some may struggle to conceive as the risk of age-related infertility increases with each passing year. Women who attempt IVF can even encounter further challenges. Using donor eggs can lead to more viable embryos and better IVF outcomes. The decision can be an emotional journey that requires careful consideration of the ethical, interpersonal, and financial challenges. Enlisting a strong support system and following the guidance of the fertility team increases the chances of success.