Modern medicine—from IVF to Artificial Intelligence—offers hope. The key is early action and accurate information.
More and more women are choosing to become mothers at a later age, often even after 40. This trend reflects social and professional changes, but it also brings to light an undeniable biological reality: a woman’s fertility significantly declines as she ages. What are the chances of conception after 40, and how can science help?
According to medical data, although difficulties increase with age, modern assisted reproduction offers solutions that bring hope to many women and couples.
Chances of Conception and Challenges After 40
After the age of 40, the chances of natural conception drop dramatically. Eggs decline in quality over the years, leading to lower fertilization rates and higher miscarriage rates due to genetic abnormalities. For those who choose IVF using their own eggs, success rates also reflect these challenges. For instance, in women aged 40–42, the success rate per IVF cycle is around 15–20%, while over the age of 43, it drops to about 5% per attempt.
The main reason is that most embryos at these ages have chromosomal abnormalities. In fact, while about 60–70% of embryos are chromosomally normal in women under 35, that percentage falls to just ~15% for women over 42. This means that most embryos in older women either won’t implant or may lead to early miscarriage, as nature tends to “reject” unhealthy embryos.
Despite these challenges, many women over 40 do manage to have children. The key lies in timely fertility assessment once a woman approaches or passes 40. Tests like ovarian reserve screening (e.g., AMH hormone level) can offer insight into the quantity of available eggs. Additionally, a woman’s overall health (thyroid conditions, diabetes, weight, etc.) plays an important role and should be optimized, since pregnancy at an older age places greater demands on the body.
How Science Helps: IVF, PGT-A, and More
Reproductive science has made significant strides that can make a difference—especially for women over 40. IVF allows us to fertilize multiple eggs in the lab and select the best embryos for transfer.
A powerful ally in this process is Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidy (PGT-A). PGT-A is a test performed on embryos before implantation to analyze their genetic material and determine whether they have the correct number of chromosomes. For a woman over 40, PGT-A can reduce the risk of transferring an embryo with a chromosomal abnormality (e.g., Down syndrome) and increase the likelihood of IVF success.
Simply put, by filtering embryos and selecting only those that are genetically healthy, the implantation rate increases while the risk of miscarriage decreases. According to data, with PGT-A, implantation success rates in women over 40 can rise to 30–50%, compared to much lower rates without the test. Of course, it’s important to note that even with PGT-A, there’s no 100% guarantee—but it is a more targeted and safer approach.
Moreover, new technologies such as Artificial Intelligence in embryo selection—already being used by our team at HYGEIA IVF Embryogenesis in Athens, in collaboration with the world-leading AI company in Assisted Reproduction, AIVF—further enhance the specialists’ toolkit, increasing the chances of selecting the best embryo for transfer.
And let’s not forget another option that has helped many women: using frozen eggs (from the woman herself if they were frozen earlier in life) or donor eggs from a younger woman.
Younger eggs are of significantly higher quality, reducing the risk of genetic issues and increasing success rates. For example, if a 47-year-old woman cannot conceive with her own eggs, using donor eggs from a younger woman can offer success rates comparable to those of the donor’s age group (often over 50–60%). This option, while emotionally challenging for some, gives women and couples the chance to hold a healthy baby in their arms despite age limitations.
For women considering having children after the age of 40, the most important message is: stay informed and act early.
No one can accurately predict how easily or how difficult it will be for a woman to conceive at a certain age. Fertility experts advise:
● Get a preventive fertility check-up before the age of 35.
A simple blood test to measure anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), along with an ultrasound, can provide insight into your ovarian reserve. This way, you’ll know whether you need to speed up your plans for having a child or explore options like egg freezing.
● Don’t hesitate to seek help.
If you are over 40 and have been trying to conceive for more than six months without success, consult a fertility specialist. Early access to treatments like IVF can make a big difference before ovarian potential declines further.
● Consider egg freezing earlier.
For younger women who aren’t yet ready to have children, freezing eggs between the ages of 30–35 offers a form of “insurance” for the future. Even though it might feel like “40 is the new 30,” biology disagrees – the best way to beat the biological clock is to stay ahead of it.
● Take care of yourself.
A healthy lifestyle, balanced diet, regular exercise, and management of chronic conditions (such as diabetes or hypertension) can improve the chances of a healthy pregnancy later in life. A woman’s physical health affects both fertility and pregnancy outcomes.
In conclusion, pregnancy after the age of 40 is certainly a challenge, but it can become a reality if you take timely action. With the support of modern medicine, more women than ever are successfully having children during this decade of life.
In-vitro fertilization, preimplantation genetic testing, and new technologies (such as AI) have improved success rates and reduced risks. But most importantly, every woman should make informed decisions: knowing the facts, consulting specialists, and listening to her own desires.
Motherhood can come later in life—as long as there is preparation, support, and optimism. With science on their side, women over 40 hold in their hands the right to realize their dream: having a healthy child.
If you are at a stage in your life where you’re considering motherhood after 40 and are seeking scientific guidance and responsible information, we invite you to the fertility event at Aquila Atlantis Hotel in Heraklion, on Friday, May 30th at 18:00, to meet Dr. Zervomanolakis and his team and discuss everything that’s on your mind.
Participation is free!
Source: https://www.neakriti.gr/ygeia/2120115_egkymosyni-meta-ta-40-pithanotites-exosomatiki-gonimopoiisi-kai-o-rolos-toy