Best Time to Start IVF: Age, Health & Other Factors

Introduction

If you’ve been trying to conceive naturally for over a year without success, you may be starting to consider IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) or other fertility treatments. So, whether you’re in your 20s, 30s, or 40s, this decision often comes with a flood of questions: Can I still go for IVF after 30? Is there a right age to begin? So, while these questions are frequently asked, it’s still important to understand them. That’s because they are thoroughly backed by scientific evidence and could significantly impact your chances of a successful IVF procedure. Thus, this blog will discuss the best time for IVF, health factors affecting IVF, and IVF success rate by age.

IVF Age Limit: How Female Fertility Declines Over Time

Struggling to conceive naturally and wondering if IVF or other fertility treatments could still be an option for you? Well, if you’re between 20 to 30 years of age, you’re right on time. However, you may ask, “Is it not possible to undergo an IVF after 30?” Yes, it certainly is, but in a study conducted by the Singapore Medical Journal 2014, women below 30 years showed maximum reproductive capacity. That’s why if you’re unable to get pregnant even after a year of trying, you should consider IVF between 20 to 30 years. 

But what is the science behind age and fertility being linked? So, after 30, both egg quality and quantity begin to decline in females. This is because of AMH (Anti-Mullerian hormone), a hormone produced by cells of the ovaries. The more the ovarian cells produce these hormones, the greater the number of eggs released in the ovaries, resulting in increased chances of a successful IVF procedure. Most importantly, the levels of AMH start decreasing after 25; consequently, a woman’s fertility reduces every passing year.  

That’s why it’s better to start preparing for IVF in your early or mid-twenties, because of the decreased AMH levels by age. However, apart from age, other factors affect fertility. So, if you’ve decided to opt for this procedure, read on to know! 

How Age-Related Health Issues Impact the Best Time for IVF

As discussed earlier, every woman is born with a limited number of eggs, which gradually decline in quantity and quality as she ages. So, as the ovarian reserve (egg supply in ovaries) reduces rapidly after 30s, it also reduces the production of oestrogen and progesterone. As a result of this, you may experience the following conditions:

Reduced production of oestrogen may cause:

• Absence or irregular menses
• Difficulty in embryo implantation 
• Reduced libido 

Reduced production of progesterone may cause:

• Irregular menses
• Increased chances of miscarriage 
• Ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy outside the uterus)

Apart from the reduced levels of female sex hormones: oestrogen and progesterone, which directly affect the success of IVF procedures, let’s discuss the hormonal imbalance caused by other hormones in the female body. 

1. Diabetes

According to a study taken from the National Institute of Health, the prevalence of type 2 diabetes rose fivefold with age: 1.6% of women between 20-29 years, 7.7% between 30-39 years, and 8.6% between 40-49 years of age were affected. Thus, the hormone responsible for type 2 diabetes is insulin. 

So, as women age, especially after 30, insulin sensitivity decreases. This means the cells respond less efficiently to insulin, forcing the pancreas to increase its secretion. Over time, this leads to insulin resistance, a condition where the body needs more and more insulin to regulate blood sugar. Persistent insulin resistance eventually contributes to the development of type 2 diabetes. As a result of this, the following conditions may arise:

• Reduced egg quality
• Increased risk of miscarriage
• Gestational diabetes
• Preterm birth

Thus, it is important to keep your diabetes in check through regular screenings, so it can be managed before it affects your IVF cycle. That’s why it is strongly advised to consider the IVF age limit between the ages of 20-30. 

2. PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome)

A 2024 research study carried out by the Journal of Preventive, Diagnostic and Treatment Strategies in Medicine, stated that the highest prevalence of PCOS was among the age group of 27-30 years. This clearly hints at the fact that women after 25 are more prone to PCOS, which in turn affects fertility in the following ways, thus hindering the IVF procedure:

• Lack of ovulation, causing irregular or missed menses 
• Multiple cysts in the ovaries reduce fertility 
• Preeclampsia (high blood pressure in pregnancy)

Even though PCOS is not completely curable, it can be managed with lifestyle changes like proper nutrition, weight management, and hormone therapy. After this, it will be easier for you to conceive with IVF after 30. 

3. Thyroid 

In a 2017 study conducted by the International Journal of Clinical Obstetrics and Gynaecology, the highest occurrence of thyroid disorders was found in women aged 31-40 years. This is because of the declining oestrogen levels, increased stress, and nutrient deficiencies after the age of 30.  Thus, when left untreated, thyroid dysfunction can cause the following: 

In females:

• Anovulation (no release of eggs)
• Absence or heavy, or frequent menses 
• Increased miscarriage risk 
• Difficulty in embryo implantation

To know in detail, read: Know more about Female Factor Infertility

In males:

• Reduced or impaired sperm quantity and quality  
• Reduced testosterone levels 
• Erectile dysfunction 

To know in detail, read:  Know more about Male Factor Infertility

Thus, thyroid function should be closely monitored not only in females but also in males when the couple is planning for IVF. This is because thyroid treatment is generally immediate and can increase the chances of success.

Chromosomal Abnormalities in IVF after 30 

As women age, not only does the quantity and quality of their eggs decline, but the risk of chromosomal abnormalities also increases. These abnormalities can be categorised as follows: 

• Aneuploidy: Abnormal number of chromosomes in an egg or embryo. 
• Translocations: A segment of one chromosome breaks off and attaches to another chromosome.
• Deletions: A part of a chromosome is missing, which can disrupt normal development.
• Duplications: Extra copies of parts of chromosomes.
• Mosaicism: Some cells in the body have a different number of chromosomes compared to others. 

The risk of these abnormalities increases significantly with age, especially after 30. That’s why, to increase the chances of having a healthy baby with a normal chromosome count, it’s advisable to consider IVF procedures in your 20s when egg quality is at its peak.

How to increase IVF success rate by age (20s, 30s, and 40s)

Even though the AMH normal range is typically seen in women during their 20s, you can still improve your chances of IVF success at any age by following specific strategies. Thus, below are age-specific tips to help improve your outcomes. 

For more in-depth advice about how to prepare for your first IVF cycle, you can also read our blog on “Step by Step guide of IVF Treatment Process“.

And to know more about IVF success, read: IVF Success rate and how to improve yours

Conclusion 

A woman’s fertility window is at its peak between 20-30 years of age, making it the ideal IVF age limit. However, as discussed, IVF after 30 is still a viable option, and many women go on to have healthy pregnancies. So, if you’re in your 30s, it’s important to reach out to the best IVF doctor in your location to understand how you can conceive a healthy baby. And if you want to know more about the IVF success rate by age, Femacare Fertility is here to answer your questions. Just give us a call at 9967050566 to know it all from the best fertility centre in Pune and Kolkata, and experience the gift of parenthood. 

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Question: Should I consider IVF after 30?
Answer: Yes, even though the IVF age limit is usually between 20-30, you can still get pregnant with IVF after 30. You can also freeze your eggs in your 20s to preserve fertility and increase your chances of success in your 30s. 

Question: Can fibroids cause infertility in women?
Answer: Yes, fibroids can block your fallopian tubes or interfere with embryo implantation. However, your IVF specialist will advise a course of action based on the size and location of the fibroid, after which you can easily conceive.  

Question: What is the best time for IVF?
Answer: It is advised to start preparing for an IVF procedure between 20-30 years of age. This is because there is a decrease in AMH levels by age, particularly after 25. 

Question: Can AMH levels increase naturally with lifestyle changes?
Answer: It’s rare! AMH levels cannot increase naturally. However, IVF outcomes can improve to an extent with better diet, exercise, and supplements as suggested by your IVF specialist. 

Question: What types of hormonal imbalance can cause difficulty in IVF?

The following hormonal imbalances can cause difficulty in IVF:

• Diabetes
• Thyroid
• PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome)
• High blood pressure

That’s why it’s important to monitor yourself regularly and undergo full-body health checks to treat hormonal imbalances and increase your chances of a successful IVF.