Impact of Age on Fertility

• Decrease in oocyte number & quality
• Increase in miscarriage rate & chromosomal abnormalities
• Decreased pregnancy rates
• Increase in disorders that impair fertility - tubal disease, leiomyomas, endometriosis
• Decrease in frequency of intercourse
• Azoospermia
• Decreased fecundability

Advanced Maternal Age & Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes

Independent Risk Factor for -

• Miscarriage
• Chromosomal abnormalities
• Congenital abnormalities
• Gestational diabetes
• Severe preeclampsia
• Placenta praevia
• Caesarean delivery

Increase in Risk for -

• Placental abruption
• Preterm delivery
• Low birth weight
• Intrauterine growth restriction
• Stillbirth
• Perinatal mortality
• Multiple gestations

Figure 1: Proportion of women who remain childless increases progressively with increased age at time of marriage

 

 

 

Figure 2: Live birth rates per IVF cycle decrease as women age

 

 

Obstet Gynecol Clin North Am. 2015;42(1):15-25