Age plays a crucial role in fertility, especially for women. As women get older, both the quantity and quality of their eggs decline, affecting natural conception and IVF success rates. If you’re planning for pregnancy or considering IVF, understanding how age impacts egg health can help you make informed decisions.
At Shukan Hospital and IVF Centre, we specialize in advanced fertility treatments to help women of all ages achieve their dream of parenthood. Let’s explore how age influences egg quality and what steps you can take to improve your chances of success.
Understanding Egg Quality and Quantity
Women are born with a finite number of eggs—about 1 to 2 million at birth. However, this number continuously declines over time. By puberty, only 300,000–400,000 eggs remain, and with each menstrual cycle, a certain number of eggs are lost.
- Egg quantity refers to the number of eggs a woman has left (also called ovarian reserve).
- Egg quality refers to the health of the egg, particularly its ability to be fertilized and develop into a healthy embryo.
Egg quality is one of the most critical factors in determining the success of both natural conception and IVF. High-quality eggs have a normal number of chromosomes and a strong ability to develop into a healthy baby.
How Age Affects Egg Quality
1. Egg Health Declines Over Time
As a woman ages, the quality of her eggs naturally decreases. This happens because eggs accumulate genetic mutations, which can lead to an increased risk of miscarriage and chromosomal abnormalities such as Down syndrome.
2. Diminished Ovarian Reserve
By the age of 35, a woman’s ovarian reserve starts to decline more rapidly. By 40, fewer than 10% of the original egg supply remains. This reduced egg count lowers the chances of pregnancy, even with IVF.
3. Increased Risk of Miscarriage
Due to genetic abnormalities, older eggs are more likely to result in early miscarriages. The risk of miscarriage is about 10-15% in women under 35, but this increases to 50% in women over 40.
4. Lower IVF Success Rates
Since IVF depends on retrieving healthy eggs, age significantly affects success rates. Women under 35 have higher IVF success rates (40-50%), while for women over 40, the success rate drops to 10-15% per cycle
Impact of Age on IVF Success Rates
| Age Group | Egg Quality | Miscarriage Risk | IVF Success Rate (Per Cycle) |
| Under 30 | High | Low (10-12%) | 50-60% |
| 30-35 | Good | Moderate (15%) | 40-50% |
| 35-40 | Declining | High (25-30%) | 20-30% |
| 40+ | Poor | Very High (50%) | 10-15% |
These numbers show how critical egg quality is for IVF success. Women who want to delay pregnancy may consider egg freezing to preserve their fertility while their eggs are still healthy.
How to Improve Egg Quality for Better IVF Outcomes
Even though age affects egg quality, there are several ways to improve egg health and enhance your chances of a successful pregnancy:
1. Healthy Diet and Lifestyle
- Eat antioxidant-rich foods (fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds)
- Reduce processed foods, caffeine, and alcohol
- Maintain a healthy weight
2. Fertility Supplements
Taking CoQ10, DHEA, and folic acid can help improve egg quality. These supplements work by supporting mitochondrial function (the energy source of eggs).
3. Reduce Stress
High stress levels can disrupt hormonal balance and affect egg quality. Try meditation, yoga, and acupuncture to lower stress.
4. Egg Freezing (Fertility Preservation)
If you are not ready to conceive but want to keep your options open, egg freezing allows you to preserve high-quality eggs for future use. Shukan Hospital and IVF Centre offers advanced cryopreservation techniques to help women extend their fertility.
5. IVF with Donor Eggs
For women over 40 with poor egg quality, IVF with donor eggs is a good alternative. This method has higher success rates as donor eggs come from young, healthy women.
Why Choose Shukan Hospital and IVF Centre?
At Shukan Hospital and IVF Centre, we offer:
- Advanced fertility treatments tailored to your needs
- Personalized care from expert doctors
- Egg freezing and fertility preservation options
- State-of-the-art IVF lab for the best embryo selection
- High success rates for women of all ages
Our team understands the challenges of infertility and provides compassionate, high-quality care to help you achieve your dream of parenthood.
Conclusion
Age has a significant impact on egg quality and IVF success, but with the right guidance, treatments, and lifestyle changes, women can still achieve their dream of having a baby. At Shukan Hospital and IVF Centre, we are dedicated to helping you navigate your fertility journey with the best medical expertise and emotional support.
If you are concerned about your fertility, book a consultation with our specialists today. Your journey to parenthood starts here!
FAQs on Age, Egg Quality and IVF
Can I get pregnant naturally after 35?
Yes, but fertility declines after 35. If you have been trying for 6 months without success, consult a fertility specialist.
What is the best age to freeze my eggs?
The best time to freeze your eggs is in your 20s or early 30s when egg quality is high. However, even women in their late 30s can benefit from egg freezing.
Can lifestyle changes improve my egg quality?
Yes! Eating a healthy diet, taking fertility supplements, managing stress, and avoiding smoking/alcohol can help improve egg health.
Does IVF work for women over 40?
IVF can still work, but the success rate is lower. Many women over 40 consider IVF with donor eggs, which has a higher success rate.
How can I check my egg quality?
A fertility test at Shukan Hospital and IVF Centre can assess your AMH (Anti-Müllerian Hormone) levels and antral follicle count, which help determine your ovarian reserve.
Can I do anything to stop my eggs from aging?
While you can’t stop aging, you can freeze your eggs, maintain a healthy lifestyle, and take fertility-boosting supplements to slow down the decline.