Age-related infertility

Natalie M Crawford; Anne Z Steiner

doi:10.1016/j.ogc.2014.09.005

Age-related infertility

Obstet Gynecol Clin North Am. 2015 Mar;42(1):15-25. doi: 10.1016/j.ogc.2014.09.005. Epub 2014 Dec 5.

Authors

Natalie M Crawford¹, Anne Z Steiner²

Affiliations

¹ Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, University of North Carolina, 4001 Old Clinic Building, CB 7570, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA. Electronic address: natalie_crawford@med.unc.edu.
² Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, University of North Carolina, 4001 Old Clinic Building, CB 7570, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.

PMID: 25681837
DOI: 10.1016/j.ogc.2014.09.005

Abstract

Oocyte number and quality decrease with advancing age. Thus, fecundity decreases as age increases, with a more rapid decline after the mid-30s. Patients more than 35 years old should receive prompt evaluation for causes of infertility after no more than 6 months of attempted conception. Patients with abnormal tests of ovarian reserve have a poorer prognosis and may need more expedited and aggressive treatment. Although oocyte donation is the best method to overcome age-related infertility, other treatment options may help women proceed quicker toward pregnancy. Patients at an advanced age should be counseled and evaluated before undergoing infertility treatments.

Keywords: Advanced maternal age; Aging; Donor oocytes; Infertility; Ovarian reserve.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Adult
Aging / physiology*
Chromosome Aberrations
Female
Fertility / physiology*
Genetic Counseling / methods*
Humans
Infertility, Female / diagnosis*
Infertility, Female / physiopathology
Maternal Age
Oocyte Donation / methods*
Ovarian Reserve / physiology*
Pregnancy
Reproductive Techniques, Assisted*
Risk Assessment
Risk Factors