Age Limit for IVF in India: What’s the Legal Age Limit for IVF Treatment

age limit for ivf in india

In-vitro fertilization has become one of the most popular treatments for people with infertility issues. While it is a great option for couples who cannot conceive naturally, many factors impact IVF success. Age, for instance, can be one of the major reasons behind the failure of IVF. Any couple thinking of undergoing this advanced reproductive technology must know the age limits to avoid complications and ensure safety.

So, in this blog, I will offer valuable insights into this topic: the age limit for IVF in India.

Legal Age Limit for IVF in India

Before I tell you the age limit for IVF, it’s important to have some idea about the ART Act. So, what is the ART Act? The Assisted Reproductive Technology Act is a law curated to supervise and regulate fertility clinics in India. So, what does this Act tell us about the IVF age limit for women and men?

The 2021 Assisted Reproductive Technology Act specifies the following age limits for in vitro fertilization (IVF) in India. 
  • 21–50 years old (for women)
  • 26-55 years old (for men)  

Couples and fertility treatment centers should take the above-mentioned age limits seriously. We must all remember that the IVF age limit is there to ensure that a mother and her baby remain safe during and after the process.

Best Age for IVF Treatment

I just shared that the maximum age for IVF is 50 for women and 55 years for men. However, this age limit of 50 years does not guarantee that a woman can have a successful IVF when she’s 48 or 49. Many women get their menopause in their late 40s. Once your menopause arrives, the chances of giving birth are slim.

So, what’s the ideal age for IVF? According to fertility specialists and the ART Act 2021, 25-35 years is the best time to plan a baby. Both men and women are youthful in their 20s and early 30s and the fertility levels are extremely high. The ovarian reserve and egg quality are also better, thus positively impacting the success rates.

However, the right age differs from one person to another. Fit people who maintain a healthy lifestyle can have a smooth pregnancy with IVF in their late 30s and early 40s.

Minimum Age for IVF

Now that you know the maximum age to get pregnant is 50 years for women, are you intrigued to find out the minimum age for IVF?

Conceiving is easy for a woman in her 20s, but girls below the age of 20 should never consider IVF or normal pregnancy. Teenage pregnancy is risky for various reasons. The risk of puerperal endometritis, systemic infections, and eclampsia tend to be higher for adolescent mothers. Preterm birth and low birth weight are also common in teenage pregnancies.

Even in your early 20s, becoming a mother isn’t a wise decision. Although the quality of eggs is the best during these years and visiting an IVF clinic won’t be necessary, it is also the time to explore the world and build a career. A baby is a huge responsibility and so, early 20s is not the optimal age to conceive.

Factors Affecting IVF Success Rate

By now it must be clear to you that as age increases, the potential risks associated with IVF also increase. However, someone seeking IVF should be mindful of several other factors:

  • quality of the eggs
  • ovarian reserve
  • lifestyle choices (habits like smoking, drinking, and having excessive junk food significantly decrease fertility levels in men and women)
  • stress (chronic stress makes us less fertile)
  • issues like ovarian malfunction or uterine abnormalities
  • the thickness of the uterine lining
  • sperm quality of the male partner or donor
  • expertise of the fertility specialist 

The Bottom Line

So, that was all about the best age for IVF treatment. Therefore, keep in mind the upper age limit if undergoing IVF or some other advanced fertility treatment is your only option. Additionally, to receive reliable IVF treatment in India, research well and find the best IVF center in your area.

References:

The Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Act, 2021: A Step in the Right Direction – PMC