What is the age limit for fertility treatment?

Starting a family in your 30s has been a growing trend for some time. There could be a number of reasons why so many are choosing to start a family later in life, and one of them is the advancement of fertility treatments. But is there a general age limit for fertility treatment in the UK? The answer is no. However, there may be individual rules from clinic to clinic, and treatment on the NHS also has its own rules. For this reason, it's a good idea to familiarise yourself with the clinic where your treatment will take place so that you know what specific rules apply there.

While there is no official maximum age limit for fertility treatment in the UK, the NHS does have guidelines for IVF treatment. According to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines, women under 40 may be eligible for up to three cycles of NHS-funded IVF if they have been trying to conceive for two years and haven’t been able to get pregnant after 12 cycles of artificial insemination with at least six of the cycles using the method IUI.

If you are 40-42 years old, you may be eligible for one NHS-funded IVF cycle if you:

• have been trying to conceive for two years or have had 12 or more unsuccessful cycles of artificial insemination (AI).
• haven’t had IVF treatment before
• have been informed about the possible biological implications of IVF and pregnancy
• show no evidence of low ovarian reserve

Besides these NHS IVF guidelines, the Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) may have additional local criteria that must to be met before you can have IVF on the NHS, such as BMI, parental status and whether you have had previous NHS or self-funded IVF cycles. There may also be local criteria that you need to meet if you are in a same-sex relationship or if you are a single woman who wants to start a family.  

If you choose a private clinic, there is often more flexibility when it comes to age limits for IVF, but you will have to pay for the treatment yourself. Clinics decide on their own policy in this area, so it can vary from clinic to clinic whether they have an age limit - and if so, what it is.

If a clinic has an IVF age limit, it is often based on the likelihood of treatment success. In this case, the upper age limit for fertility treatment is typically around 45 years. Other clinics decide on the basis of the individual situation. The best way to find out what is right for you is to get in touch with the clinics.

As with IVF, there is no legal age limit for IUI treatment. However, many private clinics do not recommend IUI if you are in your late 30s or over 40 because the success rate is too low. IUI is also not recommended if you have a medical condition that significantly affects your fertility.

IUI is not routinely offered on the NHS which means you may have to pay for it at a private clinic.  Whether you can have IUI on NHS depends on a number of factors, such as your age and where you live. In this case, it's a good idea to see your GP, who can help you through the process.

Fertility treatment abroad may be an alternative way to start a family if you are restricted by the age limits for fertility treatment in the UK. Different countries have different age requirements which can offer greater flexibility. Popular destinations for fertility treatment include Greece, Denmark, Germany and Portugal.

If you are considering travelling abroad for fertility treatment, it's important to research the regulations and gain an understanding of the health care system in the country you consider getting treatment.

Book a free fertility consultation with one of our competent advisors. We can help you get an overview of your situation.