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.
* Estimates include transfers following each retrieval. Per-cycle chances apply if earlier attempts have not led to a live birth. Later cycles assume you continue treatment. Egg-count and sperm-age adjustments are approximate; clinic and embryo factors also affect your chance.
† The starting ages are 35 for own eggs and 28 for donor eggs. Enter the age at egg retrieval for your scenario. The percentages are planning estimates for the selected assumptions. Cumulative figures combine the per-cycle estimates shown; your treatment plan and response can change between cycles. Compare clinic figures only when they use the same outcome and cycle definition.
Methodology and sources
Your result estimates the chance of a live birth from each upcoming complete cycle and the chance of at least one live birth across repeated attempts. For own eggs, a complete cycle includes a retrieval and its embryo transfers. For donor eggs, it includes one batch assigned to you and its fresh and frozen transfers.
Own eggs
The starting estimates use US national IVF data from 2016–2018 and account for age, BMI, pregnancy and live-birth history, previous IVF and diagnosis. Transfers within 12 months of each retrieval are included. A previous egg count adjusts the estimate of response to another retrieval using published US research and its authors’ calculator. Counts of 0–3 share a low-response estimate; counts above 29 use the 29-or-more estimate. A previous pregnancy is not automatically counted as a live birth.
Donor eggs
Donor-age estimates use an Australian study that followed complete donated egg cohorts. Values between age groups are estimated. Enter the mature eggs assigned to your treatment before warming or fertilization, not all eggs collected from the donor.
When you enter an egg count, the estimate uses results from 273 recipients who received six to nine mature frozen donor eggs. During follow-up, 113 recipients had a live birth. The calculation matches this overall outcome across the study’s reported egg allocations, with an approximate adjustment for donor age. It assumes similar opportunities per egg, with smaller gains as the batch grows. Some treatments were still ongoing, so the recorded outcomes do not include every possible later birth. Counts outside six to nine and fresh-egg scenarios are projections. If you leave the field blank, the broader donor-age estimate is used.
Other inputs and repeated cycles
Sperm-provider age has a small, gradual effect, held at the nearest studied boundary outside ages 20–60. The supporting studies mainly report outcomes per embryo transfer; the adjustment to a complete cycle is approximate. Donor sperm does not receive an automatic bonus. Pregnancy history and diagnoses can affect outcomes; the size of their effect varies between studies, particularly with donor eggs.
The total chance combines the chance of no live birth on each attempt. Own-egg cycles 4–6 and repeated donor cycles are projections that assume treatment continues. If you enter a donor egg count, later donor cycles assume the same allocation in each new batch. These estimates do not count the same batch again as a new cycle.
These are study-based planning estimates. Adjustments combine different study populations; clinic results, embryo development and individual outcomes can differ. Older-age and unusual egg-count scenarios extend beyond the available data.
- Gaskins et al. (2023): US live-birth estimates after IVF; CDC formula tables.
- McLernon et al.: cumulative live birth and previous egg yield; authors’ calculator after an unsuccessful first cycle.
- Hogan et al. (2019): donor age and cumulative live birth.
- Hipp et al. (2020): donor retrieval yield and recipient outcomes.
- Rienzi et al. (2020): egg allocation and outcomes with frozen donor eggs.
- Begon et al. (2023): sperm-provider age in donor-egg treatment; Murugesu et al. (2022): paternal age and assisted reproduction.
- Paffoni et al. (2024): endometriosis and donor-egg outcomes.
- ASRM (2024): evidence and limitations of PGT-A.
Charts by age band
These age-band examples use age 28 for own eggs under 30, age 25 for donors under 30, and the midpoint of each closed age band. The open-ended examples use own-egg age 56 and donor age 43. They are examples, not averages for everyone in a band. Own-egg examples use BMI 25, no previous pregnancy or IVF, and unknown diagnosis. Egg count and sperm age are left blank.
Own eggs — per cycle
Donor eggs — per cycle
Total chance across cycles
These examples use the same calculation as the calculator above: own eggs at age 35 with BMI 25 and no previous pregnancy or IVF, and donor eggs at age 28. Later-cycle points assume continued treatment. Egg count and sperm age are left blank.
What changes your odds beyond age
- Egg supply & response: eggs collected in the last retrieval, expected response, embryo availability.
- Embryo stage & genetics: embryo chromosome abnormalities become more common as egg age increases; 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: pregnancy and birth history can help put estimates in context; discuss previous retrieval and transfer outcomes with your clinic.
- 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)
Use these questions to discuss your next step with your clinic. Age alone does not determine how many cycles to try.
Ages ≤37
Compare the first three upcoming cycles, then review your response, embryo results, costs and preferences after each attempt.
Ages 38–40
Ask how your expected egg yield and embryo development affect the value of another retrieval.
Ages 41–42
Discuss your response so far and compare own-egg and donor-egg options if you would consider both.
Ages 43+
Ask your clinic about its outcomes for your age and whether donor eggs fit your goals. This calculator does not set an age-based stopping point.
For the outcome data behind the estimates, see Methodology and sources.
IVF FAQ
Is IVF effective after 40 with my own eggs?
Own-egg success generally declines with age. Your response and embryo results can help your clinic estimate whether another own-egg cycle or donor eggs fit your goals.
How many IVF cycles should I try at my age?
There is no single cycle limit determined by age. Use the calculator to compare upcoming attempts, then discuss your response, embryo results, costs and preferences with your clinic.
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?
Sperm-provider age can affect IVF outcomes. The calculator uses a small, gradual adjustment. ICSI can help with some fertilization problems, but it does not reverse sperm aging.
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 screens embryos for chromosome-number abnormalities. It does not improve egg quality or create more embryos, and routine use has not been shown to improve outcomes for every IVF patient.