Many women and couples today wait until later in life to have a child. Pregnancy is still possible over the age of 40. However, a woman’s natural fertility decreases significantly with age. Therefore, it is particularly important not to wait too long for an individual assessment when trying for a baby over 40.
Even assisted reproduction using IVF or ICSI cannot reverse the age-related decline in egg quality. Therefore, the success rates of fertility treatment for women over 40 are lower than for younger women.
However, IVF or ICSI treatment can help to make the best possible use of the existing chances. Which treatment is appropriate depends, among other things, on age, ovarian reserve, hormone levels, the number of follicles present, and individual medical history.
For women over 40 in particular, an individual assessment of personal success rates is therefore especially important. In some cases, several treatment cycles may be necessary.
Time plays an important role when trying for a baby over 40. We therefore recommend not trying to get pregnant for a long period without an assessment, but rather seeking advice early on.
In a personal consultation, we can assess your individual situation, evaluate the existing ovarian reserve and fertility, and discuss with you which treatment options are appropriate.
Yes, a natural pregnancy is possible even after the age of 40. However, fertility significantly declines with increasing age. The main reason for this is not only the decreasing number of available oocytes but, in particular, the declining oocyte quality. Your individual situation can be assessed as part of a fertility assessment.
Women are born with a limited number of oocytes. With increasing age, both the number and the average quality of oocytes decrease. At the same time, the proportion of oocytes with chromosomal changes increases. This reduces the probability of pregnancy and increases the risk of miscarriage.
Since fertility declines faster after 40, we recommend not waiting long if you have an unfulfilled desire to conceive. An early assessment can help to gain valuable time and determine whether treatment is advisable. Even if you have only recently started trying to get pregnant, a consultation can therefore be beneficial.
A fertility assessment may include, among other things, a gynecological ultrasound examination, the determination of various hormones and the ovarian reserve, an assessment of fallopian tube patency, and a semen analysis of the partner. We decide individually which examinations are necessary based on your medical history.
Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) helps to assess the ovarian reserve, i.e., the remaining oocyte reserve. However, a good AMH value does not automatically mean good oocyte quality. Especially after 40, age plays a crucial role in the genetic quality of the oocytes. The AMH value must therefore always be evaluated in conjunction with age and ultrasound findings.
Which treatment is advisable depends on the individual initial situation. Depending on the findings, hormonal stimulation, insemination, or IVF/ICSI treatment may be considered. Especially after 40, when choosing a treatment, we particularly consider the available time, ovarian reserve, sperm quality, and previous fertility history.
Yes. IVF or ICSI treatment can also be performed in women over 40. However, the chances of success depend heavily on age, ovarian reserve, the number of oocytes retrieved, and especially their quality. Therefore, before treatment, we discuss with you individually and realistically what chances exist in your personal situation.
The AMH value primarily provides information about the number of remaining oocytes or how the ovaries might react to stimulation. However, it says little about the genetic quality of the oocytes. A woman over 40 can therefore have a good ovarian reserve and still show a higher proportion of chromosomally abnormal oocytes.
Yes. The risk of miscarriage increases with age. A significant cause is the higher proportion of chromosomally abnormal oocytes and embryos. Nevertheless, many pregnancies after the age of 40 proceed without complications.
PGT-A examines embryos for changes in chromosome number during IVF/ICSI treatment. Since the proportion of chromosomally abnormal embryos increases with age, such an examination may be considered in certain situations. We will discuss with you in detail whether PGT-A is individually advisable and possible under the legal requirements in Switzerland.
Yes. Pregnancy with your own oocytes is possible even after 40. However, the probability decreases with increasing age and varies considerably individually. For a realistic assessment, we consider, among other things, your age, your ovarian reserve, previous pregnancies or fertility treatments, and other medical factors.
A healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet, regular exercise, normal body weight, and abstinence from nicotine can support the general conditions for pregnancy. However, the age-related decline in oocyte quality cannot be reliably stopped or reversed by diet, nutritional supplements, or other lifestyle measures.
Cost coverage depends on the respective examination or treatment and the requirements of the health insurance. IVF and ICSI are generally not covered by mandatory health insurance in Switzerland. For other assessments and treatments, especially after 40, prior cost approval may be advisable. We are happy to assist you with this.
If you have a desire to conceive after 40, we recommend early consultation and assessment. You do not have to wait six or twelve months. The sooner we know your personal situation, the more precisely we can jointly decide whether a natural attempt at pregnancy is advisable first or whether fertility treatment can be recommended.