PREVALENCE AND IVF OUTCOMES OF DIFFERENT INFERTILITY CAUSES IN WOMEN OF ADVANCED AGE

Background/ Aim. Infertility is one of the posible causes for a decrease in fertility rates. It is a significant social and medical problem affecting one in six couples worldwide with the current prevalence of infertility being 8- 12% among women aged 20-44. The most significant and influental factor of infertility is women’s age. This study aims to evaluate clinical outcomes among different infertility causes in women aged ≥35, as well as to investigate the prevalence of infertility causes. Methods: medical records were obtained from 873 women subjected to an IVF (in vitro fertilization) treatment cycle. Incidence and clinical outcomes of four infertility causes and factors leading to female cause of infertility were investigated. Results: The highest proportion of couples who had taken part in an assisted reproduction program, did so due to female cause of infertility, particullary due to ovulatory problems. Statistically significant differences between the four causes of infertility were found in terms of the number of retrieved and mature oocytes, fertilization rates. Differences in pregnancy and live birth rates were found between factors leading to female causes of infertility. Conclusions: Female factors, especially ovulatory problems are, as expected, the most common cause of infertility in the investigated age group and are associated with an increased risk of adverse clinical outcomes. This is useful information for the management of infertility but further investigation of infertility causes and prevalence is necessary.