How much does age change IVF success? Use the age-first calculator below, then explore the charts for own-egg and donor-egg IVF. We show per-cycle chances and the total chance across 3–6 complete cycles, plus the key factors that move results up or down.
Methodology & sources
What this estimates
We estimate a per-cycle chance (complete cycle) and the total chance across cycles 1–3 (optionally 1–6), using age-based baselines (own vs donor eggs) and light modifiers (prior pregnancy, diagnoses, sperm age, eggs collected last retrieval). Educational only.
Baselines by age
Own-egg and donor-egg per-cycle baselines are smoothed from large cohort/registry data (e.g., SART, ANZARD, HFEA). Real clinic performance varies by lab and protocol.
“Total across cycles”
Calculated as 1 − ∏(1 − pi) for each cycle, with diminishing per-cycle factors to approximate real-world attrition.
Modifiers
Small directional effects for prior pregnancy, selected diagnoses, sperm provider age, and eggs retrieved last cycle. These are intentionally conservative.
Limits
Population averages cannot capture clinic-specific lab quality or individual embryo genetics. Use with clinician guidance.
References
- ASRM & ESHRE guidance on IVF in advanced maternal age, unexplained infertility, and lab practices.
- National registry summaries (SART, HFEA, ANZARD).
Charts by age band
See typical per-cycle chances and the total chance across multiple cycles. Ranges come from large registry datasets (e.g., SART, ANZARD, HFEA); clinics vary. Exact values in the calculator are educational estimates.
Own eggs — per cycle
Donor eggs — per cycle
Total chance across cycles
For each series, total chance after n cycles is calculated as 1 − (1 − p)n, where p is an illustrative per-cycle rate (own: ~0.32; donor: ~0.47). Use the calculator below for your inputs.
What changes your odds beyond age
- Egg supply & response: eggs collected in the last retrieval, expected response, embryo availability.
- Embryo stage & genetics: blastocyst development and embryo aneuploidy risk rise with age; PGT-A changes selection, not egg quality.
- Diagnosis: endometriosis and other female factors can reduce outcomes slightly; male-factor issues are often mitigated by ICSI.
- History: a prior pregnancy (any partner) is a small positive sign; repeated failed transfers without euploid embryos suggests a different plan.
- Lab & protocol: clinic lab quality, stimulation/trigger, culture conditions, luteal support, and transfer strategy all matter.
Want to tune assumptions? Open the calculator’s Advanced options.
When to consider donor eggs (or plan changes)
These are clinic-style guardrails; always individualize with your specialist.
Ages ≤37
Often plan up to 3 complete cycles if budgets allow, reassessing after each retrieval and transfer set.
Ages 38–40
Commonly 2–3 cycles before re-evaluating expected embryo yield and the value of PGT-A.
Ages 41–42
Usually 1–2 cycles to gauge blastocyst/PGT-A euploid yield; discuss donor eggs early.
Ages 43+
Success with own eggs is low; many clinics recommend donor eggs or alternative paths after counseling.
References: ASRM & ESHRE guidance on IVF in advanced maternal age; national registry summaries (SART, HFEA, ANZARD).
IVF FAQ
Is IVF effective after 40 with my own eggs?
Success per complete cycle declines steadily after 38–40, and more sharply 41+. Some patients still succeed, but many clinics recommend fewer own-egg cycles and early discussion of donor eggs.
How many IVF cycles should I try at my age?
Under 38, up to 3 complete cycles is common if budgets allow. Ages 38–40 often try 2–3. Ages 41–42 typically 1–2 while evaluating embryo yield. Over 43, donor eggs are usually presented as a higher-probability path.
Do donor eggs “reset” age-related decline?
Largely, yes—the donor’s age drives egg/embryo quality. Uterine factors still matter, so results vary.
Does sperm age matter for IVF?
Paternal age has smaller effects than egg age. Very advanced paternal age can be associated with modest declines and higher aneuploidy risks; ICSI mitigates many male-factor issues.
What is a “complete IVF cycle” in these charts?
One stimulation and egg retrieval plus all fresh or frozen embryo transfers created from that retrieval.
Does PGT-A improve IVF success by age?
PGT-A helps select euploid embryos, often reducing time to pregnancy and transfers. It does not improve egg quality or create embryos that weren’t there.