The success rates of IVF treatment depend on a number of factors including the age of the female patient as well as the cause of the infertility. Fertility in women declines as she gets older with the best IVF treatment outcomes being experienced by women younger than 30 years old. 

However, assisted reproduction clinics like Tambre in Madrid (Spain) are receiving more enquiries from older women who are turning to assisted reproductive technology to counteract this decline. This article considers the relationship between IVF treatment and advanced maternal age and shares the experience of the Tambre specialist team. 

How old is too old? 

A woman’s peak reproduction age is in her teens and twenties. From the age of 30 fertility begins to decline. However, it is becoming more common for women around the world to delay trying to conceive until they are in their 30’s or even 40’s. This can affect their ability to achieve a pregnancy and why fertility clinics are seeing a rise in the number of older women patients seeking IVF treatment, and in particular, egg donation. 

Our fertility specialist team at Tambre can rightfully be proud of their achievements. Success rates for IVF treatment are consistently above the Spanish and international averages. However, although egg donation treatments have a higher success for older women the average rates for patients at Tambre over the age of 39 are around 33% lower than those for patients under 35.

The reason why egg donation treatment is required for many women patients is down to the quantity and quality of their egg reserve as they get older. Women begin life with a fixed number of eggs in their ovaries. The number of these eggs decrease as they get older and are not replenished. This has implications for pregnancy success but also on their fertility health. The remaining eggs for instance are more likely to have abnormal chromosomes which can lead to genetic conditions like Down syndrome. As women age, they are also more likely to develop other health conditions that can affect fertility such as uterine fibroids and endometriosis as well as being at a greater risk of preeclampsia.

The Tambre Commitment 

The ultimate goal of Tambre is to help create life but we have to be realistic and transparent when we talk to our patients. The Spanish Fertility Society suggests that fertility clinics should only consider treating women up to the age of 49. This upper age limit is based on the reduced chances of success beyond the age of 50. 

The Tambre team believe that providing IVF treatment is not ethical if the provider does not believe it will be successful. We are therefore always open and honest with our older patients about the risks of pregnancy at a later reproductive age, including miscarriage, complications and genetic abnormalities.

Information and communication 

At Tambre our specialist team discuss age-specific success rates and individual risk factors associated with advanced maternal age with each older patient. We recommend that older women opting for IVF treatment should also consider counselling prior to any decision. This commitment is based on our philosophy that each patient should be offered personalised care and support. 

Whilst we recognise that age is an important factor in achieving pregnancy it is not the sole factor. It is therefore vital that patients are aware of all of the factors that can affect IVF success and impact on the health of the patient and baby. 

Feedback from older patients suggests this approach is much valued. The honesty and transparency offered at  the Tambre fertility clinic demonstrates our patient centred care. We fully believe that patients should be aware of the reduced chances of IVF success as they get older. This is discussed in detail with each older female patient we see at our assisted reproduction clinic in Madrid and this allows them to make a fully informed decision about whether to proceed or not with an IVF treatment. 

Dr Laura García de Miguel, Medical director Fertility Specialist Clínica Tambre 

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