If you’re a woman over 50 and thinking about starting or continuing IVF (in vitro fertilization) treatment, it might feel tempting to give up. Age and success rates can seem to work against you, and treatment options might feel limited. But is that really the case? Should you accept defeat and turn your back on IVF? The answer is no. Fertility is complex, and while clinics often emphasize ‘personalized’ treatments, it’s because every patient is different and deserves to be treated that way. Success rates don’t suddenly stop at a specific age, and every person responds to treatment in their own unique way.
So, if you’re over 50 and want to try IVF, here’s the key: be realistic. Using your own eggs may mean lower chances, but options like egg donation can improve success rates significantly. If you’re in good health and determined to try, there are choices available.
To better understand your chances and what factors influence IVF outcomes, visit IVF Success Rates Explained. You’ll find helpful insights into how age, treatment types and donor options affect results.
The best clinics for women over 50
Unfortunately, there isn’t a definitive ranking or league table that directly compares clinics based on their success rates for women over 50 undergoing IVF. This can make it challenging to pinpoint which clinic offers the best opportunity for success. However, there are several ways to streamline your research process.
First, it’s important to identify countries where IVF treatment for women over 50 is legally allowed. Spain and Greece are among the most popular destinations, offering not only access to treatment for older patients but also expertise in advanced reproductive technologies, such as donor egg IVF, which is often vital for women over 50. The next section, IVF at 50: The Legal View, provides a detailed outline of these countries and their legal frameworks for IVF treatment.
Second, reviewing clinic websites can be incredibly helpful. Many clinics specializing in IVF for older patients offer comprehensive resources and detailed information specifically tailored to treatments for women over 50. In Spain, for example, clinics such as Cefer Barcelona och Institut Marques are recognized for their personalized care for women over 50. In Greece, EmBIO Medical Center och Newlife IVF Greece are known for their advanced technologies and excellent support for international patients.
Lastly, we recommend seeking advice from fellow patients in online forums. Peer experiences can help narrow down the best clinics and countries suited to your specific needs, especially when considering age-related factors. Patient reviews and shared experiences can offer insights that may not be immediately apparent from clinic websites alone. By combining these strategies, you can better identify the clinics that are most likely to meet your expectations and increase your chances of success.
You may be interested in reading our Best IVF Clinics Guide.
IVF at 50: the official view
The ‘official’ (medical and scientific) line regarding age vs IVF is that biologically your chances of pregnancy using your own eggs dramatically decline after your mid-thirties. By 50 it becomes difficult and by 55, neigh on impossible. Depending on the country in which your treatment provider is located you might be advised to bypass a treatment using your own eggs completely and only be offered a procedure using donor eggs. Your potential chances of IVF success at 50 will vary dramatically depending on your personal circumstances but it is not uncommon for professionals to advise that these chances are as low as 1 to 2% even considering the best scenarios!
These figures worsen as you get older with the age of 55 being singled out as a tipping point by professional bodies as these quotes from the Ethics Committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine suggest,
“Because of concerns related to the high-risk nature of pregnancy, as well as longevity, treatment of women over the age of 55 should generally be discouraged.”
Oocyte or embryo donation to women of advanced reproductive age: an Ethics Committee opinion
And,
“Embryo transfer should be strongly discouraged or denied to any woman over age 50 with underlying issues that could increase or further obstetrical risks and discouraged in women over age 55 without such issues.”
The advice from the NHS in the U.K. appears to be starker,
“IVF isn’t usually recommended for women over the age of 42 because the chances of a successful pregnancy are thought to be too low. In 2019, the percentage of IVF treatments that resulted in a live birth was 4% for women aged over 44”
NHS, UK, IVF Overview
The medical advice appears crystal therefore but once again we need to apply some caution here. Yes, there is no denying age plays a vital role in IVF success rates but so does your health and this is something we can manage ourselves. For many, 50 is the new 40, and our physical health at this age is generally better than it was twenty or thirty years ago.
So, you are 50 plus, and you believe you are in good physical health, where next?
IVF at 50: the legal view
Travelling for IVF has become ever more popular as more countries offer a diverse range of treatments for international patients. We travel for many reasons including cost, access to donors, and treatments we can’t access at home. If you are over 50 and cannot or wish not to have IVF treatment in your country of residence you do have travel options and we have listed some of these below.
| IVF Country for IVF over 50 | IVF over 50 - regulations in popular destinations |
|---|---|
| Spanien | There is no specific law regulating the maximum age for IVF in Spain. While Spanish fertility societies recommend a maximum age of 50, some clinics offer IVF treatment up to age 52, and a few even accept patients as old as 54. |
| Norra Cypern | IVF clinics in North Cyprus accept patients up to the age of 58. However, special arrangements for qualification may be necessary for women aged 50–54 and 54–58. |
| Grekland | In Greece, IVF clinics accept patients up to the age of 54. However, special qualification requirements may be necessary for those over 50. |
| Lettland | There is no specific law in Latvia that sets a maximum age limit for IVF. Instead, each clinic determines its own maximum age limit on an individual basis. |
| Polen | There is no specific law in Poland that sets a maximum age limit for IVF. Instead, each clinic determines its own maximum age limit on an individual basis. |
| Ukraina | There is no specific law in Ukraine that sets a maximum age limit for IVF. Instead, each clinic determines its own maximum age limit on an individual basis. |
| Förenade kungariket | There is no specific law in the UK that sets a maximum age limit for IVF. Instead, each clinic determines its own maximum age limit on an individual basis. |
| Mexiko | There is no specific law in Mexico that sets a maximum age limit for IVF. Instead, each clinic determines its own maximum age limit on an individual basis. |
| USA | There is no specific law in the USA that sets a maximum age limit for IVF. Instead, each clinic determines its own maximum age limit on an individual basis. |
We have provided below some additional details about treatment in these selected countries for women over 50.
Spanien
Despite there not being an ‘official’ legal limit on the age of women IVF patients there is a consensus amongst clinics that in practice this upper ceiling should be 50. In some circumstances, this can be increased to 52 depending upon the health of the patient. There are also clinic offering the IVF treatment for patient up to 54.
Please ask clinic directly as the upper age limit may depend on your individual situation.
Norra Cypern
North Cyprus has one of the highest age ceilings for women in Europe. Depending on clinical approval women up until the age of 58 can receive IVF treatment.
Find IVF Clinics in North Cyprus
Grekland
The upper age limit for IVF in Greece is set to 54. Please ask clinics directly to check if there are any specific qualification needs.
Lettland
Despite funded treatment being only available to women until the age of 37 private clinics can independently decide the cut off age for female IVF patients. PLease ask clinics directly.
Polen
There is no legislation governing the upper age limit for women IVF patients although they have to be heterosexual and married or cohabiting. Most of the clinics accept patient up to 50 years old.
Ukraina
In more peaceful times the country does not restrict access to IVF treatments based on age.
Förenade kungariket
There is not a legally restriction placed on access to IVF treatments for women although the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) which provides guidance to the NHS in the U.K. suggest 42 should be the upper age limit for funded patients. Private clinics do have discretion based on the health of the patient.
Mexiko
There are no specific laws governing the age of women IVF patients and clinics have a degree of flexibility based on the general health of the patient.
USA
Although there is no specific law which governs the whole country, fertility clinics tend to offer IVF treatment to women up until the age of 45 although clinics do have some flexibility in offering treatments to older women depending on their particular circumstances.
I am 50 plus so can I have IVF?
The short answer is yes! You have options if you wish to travel and depending on the clinic you visit you might be offered the opportunity to try with your own eggs or those of a donor. These options will be based on the country’s legislation and the individual clinic’s policy. As we stated throughout this blog, as an older patient you do have to be realistic about the chances of success – choose your clinic carefully, ask about their success rates with older patients and remember to ask other women who have experienced treatment to get an appreciation of how well you are likely to be cared for.
IVF at 50 with donor eggs
If you are over 50 it is almost inevitable that the majority of clinics will offer IVF with donor eggs as the preferred treatment option. According to ESHRE (European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology) the average success rate for treatments using donor eggs is 50% – this is significantly higher than the success rate if you were to decide to try to use your own eggs. For most older patients this statistic alone is powerful enough for them to choose donor treatment. At the end of the day however it is about choice and if you are assessed as physically fit to be able to undergo a cycle using your own eggs you have the ability to do so in a number of countries as we have seen.
IVF at 50 with own eggs
According to ESHRE the average success rate of IVF with own eggs for patients over 45 is around 2% – this figure continues to decline in patients over 50 – however remember the caveat that we are all different and if you want and choose to try IVF with your own eggs after the age of 50 you will be able to do so in a few countries around the world.
What is the maximum age for IVF treatment in different countries?
The maximum age for IVF treatment varies by country. In Spain, clinics typically treat women up to 50, sometimes 52. Greece allows treatment for women up to 50, while North Cyprus offers IVF treatments up to 55 (subject to medical approval). These age limits are often determined by national laws or clinic policies, so it’s important to consult with specific clinics to understand their eligibility criteria.
Is IVF for women over 50 safe?
IVF for women over 50 can carry certain risks, such as complications in pregnancy and a higher chance of miscarriage. However, many women over 50 successfully undergo IVF with donor eggs, which increases the chances of a successful pregnancy. Clinics often conduct thorough health evaluations before proceeding with IVF treatments for older women to minimize risks.
Can I use my own eggs for IVF at 50?
For women over 50, the chances of successful IVF using their own eggs are very low due to the decline in egg quality with age. Most clinics recommend the use of donor eggs to increase the likelihood of success. However, some women in their early 50s might still attempt IVF with their own eggs, though the success rate tends to be lower than with donor eggs.
IVF at 50: final thoughts
Depending on your country of residence you may have reached the age of 50 and thought that your opportunity to access IVF treatment may have passed. It is true that opportunity and success do decline with age, however not all is lost! There are countries around the world that are governed by liberal fertility legislation which means that clinics can offer a variety of treatments for older patients.
This article will hopefully prove to be a good starting point by illustrating which countries have legislation in place and which specifically limit treatment by age. Once you have options by country you will be able to drill down and see if any clinic has a built a reputation for treating older patients. Remember if you are offered success rates ensure they apply to your age and make the most of patient forums and testimonials to get a feel for the experiences of others who have attempted treatment at a similar age.
A final thought: Although age is a key determinant in IVF treatment it is not the only one. If you are considering IVF at 50 plus get a health check and discuss your options. They might be better than you think!
