Fertility treatment in your 40s

When trying to conceive later in life, it can feel overwhelming to determine what fertility treatment in your 40s is the best choice. You might feel pressure knowing that the chances of conceiving naturally dwindle with age.

Our Austin fertility doctors are a source of hope for all patients as a trusted partner to guide you when trying to conceive in your 40s. Our experienced reproductive endocrinologists are well-equipped to provide a full array of options and outline realistic chances of success to empower patients to make informed decisions.

Optimizing fertility treatment in your 40s

Age is a factor in any woman’s fertility as the quantity and quantity of eggs noticeably declines around age 35 and takes a steeper drop at age 40. While the rate of decline is individual, once reaching the age of 40, a woman’s chances of conceiving naturally have dropped to under 5% according to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine.

If you are trying to conceive in your 40s, our Austin fertility doctors urge you to set up a consultation as soon as possible. We will prioritize your care knowing time is of the essence in making decisions about fertility treatment in your 40s.

Options can include:

• Intrauterine insemination (IUI) – This fertility treatment is when sperm is placed directly into the uterus. While this is a less expensive and less invasive than in vitro fertilization (IVF), this option for women in their 40s typically does not result in pregnancy because of the reduced quantity and quality of eggs. Even with using ovulation-inducing medication such as Clomid, the success rate of IUI typically lags at less than 4% for women in their 40s. Our Austin fertility doctors will explain that a choice to pursue IUI in your 40s typically means multiple rounds of treatment that require precious time and face long odds of success.
• In vitro fertilization (IVF) – This fertility treatment is when sperm and egg are joined in a lab to create an embryo that is implanted into the uterus. With advances in IVF technology, embryos can be screened to increase levels of success. Based on 2021 data, the chance of live birth via IVF is about 13% for women who are new patients and over 40 according to data from the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART).
• Third-party reproduction – For those needing extra help conceiving, our Texas fertility center can provide information about egg donation, sperm donation or gestational carriers.

Empowering patients with knowledge

The many considerations for fertility treatment in your 40s options can dizzying to consider. Our Texas fertility center makes science and statistics easier to understand. Our medical team stands ready to enable patients to make their best decisions in hopes of making family-building dreams a reality. Contact us for more information.