Chances of IVF success 'futile' for women over 44, says study

Twelve-year project advises donor eggs be recommended to women in mid-40s but says steep decline in birth rates could be avoided by freezing eggs before 35

Women should be advised to have IVF with donor eggs instead of their own when they reach the age of 44 to boost their chances of success, fertility doctors have said.

Researchers in Spain found that the chances of women having a baby through IVF was only 1.3% in those aged 44 and above, but stood at 24% in those aged 38 to 39.