Advanced Age Problems

The beginning of fertility occurs with the beginning of ovulation or menstrual period. Generally, the potential for productivity decreases with advanced age problems and fertility is expected to end 5 to 10 years before menopause. In today’s society, age-related infertility is becoming increasingly common. Despite the fact that women are becoming increasingly healthier and taking better care of themselves, the decline in fertility cannot be prevented and for various reasons most women wait until their 30s to start a family. This may have physical or social reasons.

However; It is important to know that as we age, fertility decreases due to the number of eggs remaining in the ovaries. This decrease can begin to happen at a much earlier age than women expect. Being late can create hopelessness in candidates who apply to the doctor with the desire to become parents.

While the rate of conception of women under the age of thirty every month is around 20%, this rate can decrease to 5% or less at the age of forty and over. After the age of thirty-five is considered a risky period. When the gestational age is postponed to later dates for valid reasons, there is an increase in infertility problems, pregnancy becomes difficult to achieve, and even if pregnancy is achieved, risks such as miscarriage increase. Although decreased egg reserve and decrease in fertility hormone (AMH) are rarely seen at a young age, this condition is more common as the age progresses. Women who want to become pregnant at an advanced age have the same chance of success in assisted reproductive methods, including IVF treatments.

The reasons for the decrease in fertility ability are; The general state of health is directly proportional to the ovulation functions, the decrease in ovarian reserves, the decrease in egg quality. Tests for infertility in candidates who want to have a baby are started if pregnancy cannot be achieved despite unprotected and regular sexual intercourse for one year. However, elderly mothers wait six months to start these examinations.

Physical reasons for postponing pregnancy

• Endometriosis (chocolate cyst)
• Low egg reserve and early menopause
• Polycystic ovary syndrome
• Tube obstruction
• Endocrine diseases that cause ovulation disorder
• Vaginismus
• Low sperm count (azoospermia)
• Among the social reasons for postponing pregnancy;
• Career plans,
• Financially securing yourself,
• The right to live independently of men,
• Not being ready for motherhood,
• Duration of education and training

Due to such factors, plans such as becoming a mother and starting a family are postponed to a later date. The important aspect here is that the woman knows that the most important factor for conception is the age factor.

Is IVF treatment performed at an advanced age?

Advancing age brings along health problems. However, IVF treatment has no age limitation. In other words, if a healthy uterus, ovaries and hormone levels are present, IVF treatment can be started. However, the mother-to-be should know that the chance of achieving success in IVF treatment is less in patients aged 35 and over. For this reason, it can be expressed as follows: IVF treatment can be applied until the age of 45 for patients who do not have problems in ovarian structure and function in hormone tests and ultrasonography. However, it should not be forgotten that even if pregnancy is achieved at this stage, the risk of miscarriage may be high. In addition, as a result of age progression, the embryo should be examined in terms of chromosomes. For this reason, it is important to resort to genetic diagnostic methods. In this way, the chance of pregnancy will increase and the probability of giving birth to a healthy baby will increase.

Suggestions for Elderly Mothers

• Be sure to check your egg reserve and AMH level
• If you have problems such as high blood pressure and diabetes, make sure these problems are controlled before you conceive.
• If you have excess weight, you need to fall to an appropriate weight. Advanced age and obesity problems can put pregnancy at risk.
• You should supplement with folic acid along with your pregnancy plans. Folic acid will reduce the risks of anomalies that may arise in the baby.