Fertility guide for women over 40

Tailored support and advice for those trying to achieve pregnancy.

At Manchester Fertility, we're leading specialists in the diagnosis and treatment of fertility-related issues. Our expert team have decades of experience helping our patients achieve pregnancy when the chances of successful treatment are typically lower.

Rest assured, we will do our utmost to help you achieve your goal of getting pregnant. This guide explores the different pathways you may consider and the process of fertility testing you may want to consider before starting your fertility journey.

As the human body ages, there is a natural decline in fertility. This may mean you’re more likely to need fertility treatment if you're waiting to start your family. Below is a guide to the key things you should be thinking about if you’re over 40 and planning to undergo fertility treatment.

Ready to start your journey?

The most beneficial thing to do is talk directly to our team about your chances of conception. If you're ready to start your fertility journey, or you'd like more information on our treatments, contact the clinic by phone, request a callback or book a free no obligation 1-2-1 with a New Patient Coordinator today.

Our fertility assessments are the best options for patients who have no or little knowledge about their fertility status, who may have had a pregnancy, or have had confirmation that fertility treatment would be advised.

Involving a series of simple tests and a consultation with a doctor, a fertility check will assess your current fertility status, identifying any factors affecting your ability to conceive and providing insight into potential treatment options.

A fertility assessment is available for couples and individuals without a GP referral. Just call our team, make an appointment or book online.

Get In Touch

We make starting your journey simple and supportive, no matter where you are in your journey.

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As there is a natural decrease in egg quality and quantity with age, some patients choose to use donated eggs for treatment.

The donor eggs used for your treatment can be provided by a known donor, through a relative who is willing to donate their eggs in order to maintain a genetic link to the child or our dedicated donor team, who will help source a suitable match for your treatment through our anonymous egg donor programme.

We also have our own dedicated donor bank, Egg Donors UK, which supports individuals and couples looking to build their families through egg donation. Our specialist donor programme helps connect recipients with carefully matched egg donors, while providing expert guidance and support throughout every stage of the donation journey.

As a specialist fertility clinic, we have a long history of helping mature couples and single women achieve pregnancy through fertility treatments.

We use cutting-edge technology and the latest advancements in reproductive medicine to help you conceive. We support you through your tailored treatment, enhanced with personalised care from our dedicated teams.

Our team can discuss the appropriate pathway and options for patients before embarking on their treatment journey.

In-vitro Fertilisation (IVF)

IVF treatment is a technique where fertilisation takes place outside the body. During IVF, we create embryos for transfer using eggs and sperm in our state-of-the-art laboratory.

Learn more about IVF

IVF with Donor Eggs and/or Sperm

If you choose to use donor gametes for IVF treatment, we provide both donor eggs and/or donor sperm to create embryos for treatment. We can also provide access to donor sperm for those undergoing treatment as a single patient.

Learn more about IVF with Donor Eggs or Sperm

Frozen Embryo Transfer

If you have had previous cycles of treatment, some patients can opt for an Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET). An FET consists of the thawing embryos which were frozen during previous treatment and then placing them in the uterus the appropriate time of the menstrual cycle.

Learn more about an FET

Depending on your current fertility, your consultant will have a practical discussion with you on the treatment options they believe are most likely to help you conceive.

They will walk you through the treatment most suitable for you and will then tailor your treatment plan to your needs to ensure you receive the best care possible during your time with us.

If you need donor sperm or donor eggs for your treatment, we have a team of experts to support you through the selection process.

Arranging Your Appointment

Our New Patient team will walk you through the process, offering any information and providing advice should you need it ahead of your treatment.

Ultrasound Scans

We use advanced 3D ultrasound techniques to check your antral follicle count or AFC through a transvaginal ultrasound scan of your womb and ovaries.

During your scan, we also check for anything that could affect conception and embryo implantation. An internal scan is painless and gives us accurate and highly detailed information about your reproductive health.

BMI Health Check

We check your height and weight to measure your BMI. A BMI that is too high or too low can affect your fertility and reduce your chance of getting pregnant. The BMI limit for fertility treatment at Manchester Fertility is 35.

We will advise you whether you should raise or lower your BMI to improve your chances of conception.

Consultation

After the results from your scans and tests are returned, you will have a consultation with a member of our team.

At this stage, they will walk you through potential next steps and discuss any concerns you may have. We encourage you to ask as many questions as possible at this stage to ensure we have the best idea of your needs before moving forward with treatment.

At Manchester Fertility, we are proud of our work to support and guide our patients on their individual fertility journeys. As an award-winning clinic with over 40 years of experience creating families and a team that works tirelessly to provide exceptional care.

Our patient experience offers the right balance of compassion, medical advice, and legal guidance, no matter your circumstances. Meet the team who will be managing your treatment today.

We're incredibly proud of our team here at Manchester Fertility. They're not only industry professionals, they're real people who show genuine compassion and care in every aspect of their work.

We offer a range of different support options to all our patients, even if all you need is just a quick chat with some someone who cares. Learn more about our support offering below: