Managing assisted reproduction in women over the age of 50 years: a clinical update

For more than 20 years, women over 50 years of age have been able to achieve pregnancy and deliver babies using donor oocyte IVF (D-IVF). Pregnancy and live-birth delivery rates following D-IVF in these older patients are comparable with rates experienced by younger women undergoing IVF with either donor or autologous oocytes. While there are increased risks of adverse perinatal events occurring in this unique older age group of women, the current data infers the relative overall safety of attempting pregnancy in properly screened and selected patients. This article describes the history and current practice of D-IVF in women over 50 years of age and then concludes with expert commentary and current 5-year outlook on the future of this practice.