Fertility declines throughout a woman's 30s, and takes an even sharper drop in the late 30s and after the age of 40. Women over 40 have distinct issues when trying to get pregnant, and many need fertility assistance. In contrast to younger women, women over 40 often need different drug schedules. Below, we will take a look at some of the issues older women face when trying to get pregnant, as well as how it influences which IVF drugs are most appropriate.

‍How Women Over 40 Differ From Younger Women

‍After the age of 40, several changes happen. Ovulation is often irregular, and a woman may not ovulate with every cycle. The supply of eggs is much lower than when the woman was younger. The eggs are often of lower quality, and the risk of miscarriage and birth defects is higher in women of advanced maternal age. At the same time, a drop in progesterone makes it harder for the woman to sustain a pregnancy.

IVF Drugs

A typical IVF cycle includes several types of drugs:

• Drugs to prevent ovulation - Lupron or Ganirelix is often given to prevent premature ovulation, so that the eggs can mature and then be collected in the egg retrieval process.
• Drugs to stimulate follicle development - Follistim, a drug containing follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), is administered to cause the ovaries to mature more egg follicles than usual.
• Trigger injection - An injection of human chorionic gonadotropin (HcG) is given to mature the eggs before retrieval.
• Progesterone - Progesterone is given to mature the uterine lining, preparing it to receive an embryo. It is also given for the first few weeks of pregnancy, until the placenta takes over progesterone production.

Choosing the Right Course of Treatment

‍For women over 40, higher doses of IVF drugs are often needed to produce the same effect, whereas younger women may need little stimulation. At the same time, many women over 40 benefit from the use of progesterone during conception and the first part of pregnancy, as it decreases the risk of miscarriage. In addition to changes in drug therapy, it is recommended that women over 40 go through preimplantation genetic screening to ensure that all of the embryos transferred are healthy.

Only a doctor can determine which course of treatment is best for your infertility. Dr. Randy Morris would be happy to meet with you about treatment for your infertility. To schedule your consultation today, please click below and enter your information or call IVF1 at (630) 357-6540.