Best age for ivf for men and women

India has a large and growing fertility-treatment sector. Industry estimates suggest that approximately 3 lakh or more IVF cycles are performed annually

The increasing use of fertility treatment reflects greater awareness of infertility, delayed parenthood and wider access to specialist services. Many couples consult specialists to understand the best age for ivf for men and women before starting treatment.

So what is IVF?

IVF is a medical procedure in which eggs are collected from the ovaries and fertilised with sperm in a laboratory.

The resulting embryos are monitored as they develop, and a suitable embryo is transferred into the uterus. The aim SIMPLY  is to achieve a pregnancy that leads to the birth of a healthy baby.

A standard IVF cycle involves five TYPICAL stages

Ovarian stimulation  in which Hormonal medicines are given to  encourage the ovaries to develop several eggs instead of the single egg usually released during a natural menstrual cycle. Every month. Next is Ovarian monitoring, which is basically Ultrasound scans and blood tests help the fertility specialist track follicle growth and adjust medication when necessary.

When the eggs are released, embryologists retrieve it , though the surgery is still small. These eggs are combined with sperm in a laboratory.

However In some cases, a single sperm is injected directly into an egg using a technique called intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Fertilised eggs are monitored as they develop into embryos.

Then a suitable embryo is placed inside the uterus through a thin catheter. A pregnancy test is performed later to determine whether implantation has resulted in pregnancy.

The exact treatment plan depends on the individual’s

• Their fertility,
• Their medical history,
• Their response to medication.

Not every cycle reaches embryo transfer, and some patients need more than one attempt. Age is one of the most important factors in fertility treatment. It affects

• egg quantity
• egg quality,
• sperm health,
• pregnancy risks
• the likelihood of a successful outcome.

Understanding these changes is an important factor for the patients so then they make informed decisions about when to seek treatment and which options to discuss with a fertility specialist. Medical guidelines often highlight the best age for ivf for men and women to set realistic expectations.

Why is age the factor when considering IVF?

IVF is generally recommended to patients for several reasons. Some people have difficulty conceiving because of a medical condition, while others experience infertility without an identifiable cause.

That’s why? The treatment plan depends on what is preventing pregnancy and the likelihood of overcoming that problem.

Common reasons for considering IVF include

Blocked or damaged fallopian tubes

Condition when Eggs and sperm cannot meet normally because the tubes are blocked or severely damaged.  Tubes are the way when during natural pregnancy sperm travel with tube to reach the egg,

Ovulation disorders

Conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome can interfere with regular egg release. PCOS and PMOS are the biggest factors playing with female fertility. Because complete failure of imbalanced hormones cannot create and safe peaceful areas for the child to be born.

Male-factor infertility can reduce the chance of natural conception

• Low sperm count (azoospermia)
• poor sperm movement (mobility)
• or abnormal sperm shape (morphology) and many more

Endometriosis

This condition is one of the cause of infertility. It  affects the ovaries, fallopian tubes and other reproductive structures.

Unexplained infertility

Unexplained infertility is when there is nothing wrong with all the tests done. Everything is right with men and women’s fertility window but still Pregnancy does not occur

Age-related fertility decline is when changes in egg quantity and quality become increasingly important as women grow older.

Previous unsuccessful treatments

IVF is also recommended when simpler fertility treatments have not worked.

Why Is Age a Factor When Considering IVF?

Age deserves special attention because it affects both partners, although the biological changes are different. Let’s go through why age is even a considered factor at all.

1. Ovarian reserve decreases with age

Women are born with a finite supply of eggs. Unlike sperm production, which continues throughout much of adult life, the number of available eggs steadily declines.

This process begins before birth and continues throughout the reproductive years.

As a woman gets older, fewer eggs remain available for ovulation and fertility treatment.

There are many tester which help estimate, meaning find out about  ovarian reserve such as anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and an antral follicle count help

These tests are useful for predicting how the ovaries are likely to respond to stimulation, but they cannot independently determine whether pregnancy will occur.Knowing the best age for ivf for men and women helps couples navigate ovarian reserve changes effectively.

2. Egg quality changes

Additionally, producing several eggs does not guarantee that they will all be suitable for fertilisation or embryo development.

The next, Egg quality refers partly to the egg’s ability to develop into a chromosomally normal embryo. With  age, the risk of errors in chromosome separation increases. This can lead to embryos with an abnormal number of chromosomes, reducing implantation and increasing the likelihood of miscarriage.

This is one reason IVF success rates decline with age even when modern laboratory techniques are available.

3. Hormonal changes affect fertility

Hormones like follicle stimulating hormone  (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (lH) regulate follicle growth, ovulation and the menstrual cycle.

During the women’s PEAK reproductive years, changes in ovarian function gradually affect hormone levels and the way the ovaries respond to stimulation.

Whereas in older women, fertility medicines often produce fewer mature eggs than they do in younger women. In the result, the dose and type of medication are selected according to individual test results rather than age alone.

4. The risk of miscarriage increases with age

A pregnancy can begin after IVF and still end in miscarriage.

chromosomally abnormal embryos are the one major reason associated with miscarriages.

When there is an odd number of the chromosomes, it can become difficult to implant.

Not only this, age-related changes also influence the likelihood of pregnancy complications.

A fertility specialist considers

• previous miscarriages
• existing medical conditions
• the patient’s overall health when assessing treatment options.

5. sperm quality can decline in men

Even though men continue producing sperm throughout adulthood, but their sperm characteristics change with age. Some men experience reduced sperm movement, changes in sperm shape and a decline in semen quality.

Doctors regularly emphasize the best age for ivf for men and women when evaluating paternal factors.

These changes are not universally equal in every man. A semen analysis gives information about sperm concentration, movement and morphology, and assists the doctor in determining whether further investigations or techniques such as ICSI are indicated.

6. Sperm DNA fragmentation increase

Sperm DNA fragmentation is the  damage or breaks in the genetic material carried by sperm. Many researchers have associated advancing paternal age with increased DNA damage in some men.

Higher fragmentation can be associated with reduced fertility and certain adverse reproductive outcomes.

However, age alone does not establish that a man has high fragmentation. Testing is considered according to clinical circumstances rather than being required for every IVF patient.

7. Embryo development is affected by both partners

Another thing is that an embryo develops through the combined genetic contributions of an egg and sperm.

Additionally, the quality of both gametes, egg and sperms influences fertilisation and its development too.

Although maternal age is generally the stronger predictor of IVF success when using a woman’s own eggs, paternal age also deserves attention. A younger female partner does not eliminate every fertility issue associated with an older male partner.

8. Pregnancy risks increase with maternal age

Older women have higher rates of conditions such as

• gestational diabetes
• high blood pressure
• pre-eclampsia.
• The likelihood of some placental complications,
• caesarean delivery
• preterm birth

These risks are influenced by general health, body weight, existing illnesses and pregnancy history, not age alone. A pre-pregnancy assessment helps identify conditions that need treatment before attempting conception.

9. Treatment take longer towards the successful path

An IVF cycle does not always result in a transferable embryo or pregnancy.

Patients with reduced ovarian reserve or age-related egg-quality changes can require additional retrievals to obtain suitable embryos.

For this reason, delaying a fertility evaluation can have practical consequences.

In simple words, seeking advice early does not mean that everyone needs IVF; it helps patients understand their options while time remains an important consideration.

10. Age influences the choice of treatment

Lastly, Younger patients with adequate ovarian reserve do respond well to conventional IVF, whereas the older patients require a more individualised discussion about expected outcomes.

Depending on the circumstances, a specialist may discuss additional investigations, embryo freezing or donor eggs.

The aim is not simply to achieve fertilisation. It is to choose a safe and realistic treatment plan that considers the possibility of pregnancy, the patient’s health and the family’s circumstances.

Maximum age for IVF in India

India regulates its assisted reproductive technology,  meaning all of the treatments in the fertility sector, through the Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Act, 2021. This regulatory  body is the one who establishes eligibility requirements for people receiving ART services and responsibilities for registered clinics and banks.

So, let’s get to the maximum age for IVF in India.

Understanding the best age for IVF for men and women helps patients to follow the local statutory rules.

Thus, for a woman to access ART services under the Indian ART framework, she must be legally between 21 and 50 years of age, and a man must be between 21 and 55 years of age.

These limits are legal eligibility requirements, not guarantees that treatment will succeed within those ages.

So why does ART have age limits?

• Age limit Establishes a consistent legal framework for fertility treatment. Meaning to protect the vulnerable and young girls from exploitation.
• It also supports appropriate medical assessment before treatment according to the patient’s age and demographic.
• Age has many factors related to it. The biggest is complications with pregnancy and maternal health it brings on.
• Regulating the work of ART clinics and banks helps it keep track of any illegal and underground clinics in the work force.

Overall, Age is only one part of the clinical assessment.

In simple terms,  A woman within the permitted age range can still have reduced ovarian reserve or a medical condition that makes pregnancy unsafe. Similarly, a man below the upper age limit can have severe sperm abnormalities.

The legal limits also do not mean that every person below the maximum age qualifies automatically for every fertility service. Doctors must consider medical suitability, consent and the applicable rules.

People approaching the upper age limit should seek advice early. This allows sufficient time for fertility investigations, discussion of treatment options and clarification of eligibility before starting a cycle

IVF age limit for men

Under India’s ART regulations, the legal IVF age limit for men is 21 to 55 years.

Why is the IVF age limit for men is considered??

1. Changes in sperm quality

Ageing can affect sperm concentration, movement and shape. Some men continue to have good semen parameters in later life, while others experience a decline.

2. It Increases the  risk of sperm DNA damage

Older paternal age has been found to be with higher sperm DNA fragmentation in some studies. Because DNA damage does interfere with embryo development and reproductive outcomes, it is advised to have sperm which does not have DNA fragmentation.

3. Genetic changes in sperm

Many studies through time have shown that advanced paternal age is directly linked with an increased risk of certain rare genetic conditions in offspring, such as down syndrome.

Sperm-producing cells divide repeatedly throughout a man’s life. These divisions can introduce new genetic changes.

Researchers continues to evaluate the best age for ivf for men and women in relation to genetic health

4. Underlying medical conditions

• Diabetes
• high blood pressure,
• obesity and some other chronic conditions can affect sexual function, hormone levels and semen quality.

5. Sexual and hormonal health

Some men develop lower testosterone levels or erectile and ejaculation difficulties as they age. These conditions require assessment rather than being attributed automatically to ageing.

What tests are performed before IVF?

A fertility specialist generally reviews the man’s medical history and arranges a

1. semen analysis.
2. hormonal investigations
3. examination by a urologist or andrologist,
4. genetic testing,
5. assessment for sperm DNA fragmentation.

Depending on the findings, further tests including ICSI can help when sperm-related problems interfere with conventional fertilisation. In this technique, an embryologist injects a single sperm into a mature egg. However, ICSI cannot reverse genetic damage or guarantee a healthy embryo.

IVF age limit for women

Biologically, fertility begins to decline before menopause. The decline becomes more noticeable during the mid-to-late thirties and accelerates for many women after 40. This legal upper age limit is particularly important because female fertility changes significantly with age.

India’s legal rules  offer ART services to women in the age group of 21-50 years. meaning only women between can have fertility treatment.

Why?  because

As women age, the number of eggs they have decreases, and a lower ovarian reserve can result in a less robust response to fertility drugs and fewer eggs being retrieved during IVF.

Chromosomal abnormalities are more common in older eggs. Fertilization may take place but the embryo that results may not develop normally or implant successfully.

Higher miscarriage rates The risk of miscarriage increases with maternal age, largely because chromosomal abnormalities become more common in embryos. Moreover,  a previous successful pregnancy does not remove this age-related change.

Greater risk of pregnancy complications Older mother, age is associated with higher rates of gestational diabetes, hypertensive disorders and certain placental complications. In simple words, Women with existing medical conditions need an individualised assessment before treatment. Is at higher risk of developing more complications during pregnancy,

Changes in uterine and general health The uterus continues to support pregnancy later in life, but conditions such as fibroids, adenomyosis or abnormalities of the uterine cavity can interfere with implantation.

Lower response to stimulation medicines Ovarian stimulation encourages several follicles to grow, but it cannot restore eggs that have already been lost or reverse age-related changes in egg quality. Increasing medication doses does not necessarily produce more eggs.

What is involved in a fertility test?

The doctor will ask about your periods, previous pregnancies and miscarriages, medical conditions and previous fertility treatment.

Tests of AMH and antral follicle count can be useful in the assessment of ovarian reserve and other hormone tests can be useful.

A pelvic ultrasound can be used to evaluate the ovaries and uterus. According to the patient’s history, the specialist can also request tests for diabetes, blood pressure, thyroid disorders or other conditions relevant to pregnancy.

At what age is it best for men and women to have IVF?

Regarding the best age for IVF for men and women, the discussions usually focus on women under 35 and men under 40 for optimal biological outcomes.

Deciding when to do IVF is more than looking at age. Couples should be aware that

their fertility status, the treatment options available, the expected costs, and the legal requirements that apply to their circumstances.

Go IVF Surrogacy is a fertility-treatment coordination clinic that helps patients arrange treatment including consultations with fertility specialists and assistance with travel and accommodation.

Go IVf surrogacy can assist in setting up appointments and simplifying the process for patients who want to get treatment in Delhi or are traveling to India.

Go IVF surrogacy suitability depends on the go ivf surrogacy actually available, the credentials of the treating clinic and the individual patient’s needs.

Understanding the best age for ivf for men and women starts with an assessment of both partners.

Go IVF surrogacy include the following arrangements, depending on the service package and the treating clinic

• Initial fertility consultation
• Doctor appointments
• Medical report coordination
• Treatment planning
• Travel assistance
• Visa guidance
• Accommodation arrangements
• Appointment coordination
• Treatment-related documentation
• In vitro fertilisation (IVF)
• Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)
• Intrauterine insemination (IUI)
• Preimplantation genetic testing (PGT)
• Fertility preservation 
• Donor-egg or donor-sperm treatment
• Male infertility evaluation
• Fertility counselling

IVF age limit India punishment

India’s fertility-treatment sector is governed primarily by the Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Act, 2021, and the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021. These laws address different aspects of reproductive treatment and should not be treated as interchangeable.

The ART Act regulates ART clinics, banks, gamete donation, treatment practices and related services. Surrogacy arrangements are governed under the Surrogacy Act, which outlines the eligibility criteria and prohibits commercial surrogacy.

What if a clinic violates the age limit?

Under the ART Act, the criteria for eligibility of people undergoing treatment are defined. Thus clinics must adhere to the relevant provisions and operate within the registration and regulatory framework.

The law also sets out penalties for specified offences.

Under Section 33, certain prohibited activities, including specified forms of commercial dealing in human gametes or embryos, can attract a fine of at least ₹5 lakh and up to ₹10 lakh for a first contravention.Apart from that, the penalty can also be 3-8 years of jail and fine of ₹10 lakh to ₹20 lakh .

What about the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021?

The Surrogacy Act will have eligibility requirements and prohibits commercial surrogacy.

WHat is commercial surrogacy?

Commercial surrogacy involves prohibited commercial arrangements. Meaning, surrogate mothers are paid to carry the pregnancy.

whereas altruistic surrogacy is deemed connected to need conditions.

It also regulates the conditions under which permitted altruistic surrogacy can take place. Meaning, only willing, women become surrogate.

These rules are separate from the ordinary age eligibility requirements for IVF. A person should not assume that using a surrogate removes the legal restrictions applying to ART treatment or the eligibility requirements under the Surrogacy Act.

Age limit for IVF with own eggs

IVF using a woman’s own eggs involves stimulating her ovaries, collecting the eggs and fertilising them with sperm in a laboratory.

The resulting embryos are assessed, and a suitable embryo is transferred into the uterus. Clinicians explain the best age for ivf for men and women when evaluating cycle feasibility with own eggs.

In donor-egg IVF, the eggs come from an eligible donor. The eggs are fertilised with sperm from the intended father or another permitted source, and the resulting embryo is transferred into the recipient’s, usually intended mother’s uterus.

The main difference is the source of the egg. This distinction is particularly important when a woman is older or has a diminished ovarian reserve.

What is IVF with its own eggs?

The woman is given ovarian stimulation drugs and is monitored with ultrasound and hormone levels, and her eggs are retrieved. Then eggs are fertilised, the embryos develop in the laboratory, and a suitable embryo is transferred. Any suitable additional embryos can be frozen for later use, if appropriate.

How does donor-egg IVF work?

1. The first step is to find a suitable donor, either through a registered ART bank, with the necessary screening and paperwork.
2. Donor eggs are collected and fertilised with sperm in the laboratory.
3. Meanwhile, the recipient undergoes medical assessment and preparation of the uterine lining. Hormonal medicines may be prescribed to prepare the endometrium for transfer.
4. The resulting embryo is transferred into the recipient’s uterus, and pregnancy testing follows at the appropriate time.
5. The recipient does not need to produce eggs for this procedure, but she must be medically suitable to carry a pregnancy and meet the applicable legal requirements.

IVF at 55 years old

IVF at 55 years old requires careful consideration for both mother and child,  because it falls beyond the general upper age limit for women receiving ART services in India. It is not simply a standard IVF cycle with a few additional tests.

So, for a woman aged 55, the first step is to clarify the legal position.

Understanding the best age for ivf for men and women ensures patients plan family goals well before reaching advanced age milestones.

Donor eggs do not remove the age eligibility requirement. In any case any clinic which offers treatment without any legal services, should be on patients’ suspicious radar.

From a medical perspective, pregnancy at this age carries substantial risks. These can include high blood pressure,

• pre-eclampsia,
• gestational diabetes,
•  blood clots,
• cardiovascular strain,
• placental complications and
• preterm delivery

For an older patient being assessed for pregnancy, a specialist would review

• Blood pressure and cardiovascular health.
• Blood sugar levels and diabetes risk.
• Kidney and liver function when indicated.
• Medical history and current medicines.
• Uterine structures and history of uterine surgery.
• Obstetric problems and previous pregnancies.
• General fitness is necessary for maintaining a pregnancy.

A specialist could also request further investigations based on the patient’s medical history. The aim is to identify risks that could make pregnancy unsafe.

What about ovarian stimulation at 55?

At this age, ovarian reserve is generally extremely low, and natural conception using the patient’s own eggs is very unlikely. Higher doses of stimulation medication do not reverse the ageing of eggs or restore the ovarian reserve lost over time.

Donor eggs can address the issue of egg availability in medically and legally eligible patients. But they cannot completely remove the pregnancy risks of the recipient’s age, or violate India’s legal age limits.

What happens after embryo transfer?

If the patient is considered medically suitable and if treatment is available in a relevant jurisdiction under the law, pregnancy care would be under close surveillance. The obstetric team of doctors would assess maternal health and monitor for complications throughout pregnancy.

The health of the person carrying the pregnancy remains central to treatment decisions, so a  successful embryo transfer is not the same as a successful live birth.

For someone aged 55 in India, the responsible starting point is a consultation about legal eligibility, overall health and the available alternatives.

IVF success rate by age

IVF success rate by age varies according to age, egg source, embryo quality, sperm health, diagnosis and the way success is measured. Success metrics closely mirror the biological best age for ivf for men and women.

Woman’s age	Approximate live birth rate per IVF cycle	Approximate pregnancy rate per cycle
Under 35	40% to 50%	45% to 60%
35 to 37	30% to 40%	35% to 50%
38 to 40	18% to 30%	25% to 40%
41 to 42	8% to 15%	12% to 25%
Over 42	2% to 8%	5% to 15%

Pregnancy rates and live birth rates are not the same thing.

A pregnancy test can be positive even when the pregnancy subsequently ends in miscarriage. whereas Live birth is therefore a more meaningful measure of the ultimate treatment outcome.

Women under 35 generally have higher success rates because they are more likely to produce eggs without egg problems. That is why their life rate is about 45 percent to 60 percent. In this age, Ovarian response is often better as well, increasing the possibility of obtaining embryos for transfer or freezing by 40 to 50 percent. .

As we move further up the age bracket, between 35 and 37, the likelihood of success remains reasonable for many patients, but the decline in egg quality becomes more noticeable.

For age bracket of Between 38 and 40, fewer eggs are obtained, and a smaller proportion of embryos may be chromosomally normal. This results in a drop of pregnancy rates by 25 to 40 percent, further. The chance of miscarriage also increases. An individual assessment is essential because two women of the same age can have very different fertility profiles.

After 40, IVF success rates using one’s own eggs decline more sharply. Some patients achieve pregnancy, but they should receive realistic information about the chance of success, the possibility of needing additional cycles and the alternatives available.

Donor-egg IVF has a different success profile because the age of the egg donor is an important factor. Nevertheless, the recipient’s health, intended mother, uterine condition and other medical factors continue to influence pregnancy outcomes.

Patients should ask clinics whether their reported success rates refer to pregnancy, clinical pregnancy or live birth, and whether the figures are calculated per cycle started, per retrieval or per transfer..

Age limit for IVF in USA

The IVF procedure in the United States follows the same basic medical principles as treatment in India. Patients frequently ask about the best age for ivf for men and women across international medical centers.

The main differences involved in

•  regulation,
• clinic policies,
• cost
• access to treatment.

Unlike India’s national ART age limits, the United States does not have one national federal statutory age limit for all IVF treatment.

IVF cost comparison India and the USA

IVF stage	cost in the USA	ost in India
Consultation and initial testing	US dollar 200 to 1,000	₹5,000 to ₹20,000
Ovarian stimulation and medicines	US dollar 3,000 to 7,000	₹30,000 to ₹80,000
Egg retrieval and associated procedure	US dollar 3,000 to 6,000	₹20,000 to ₹50,000
Fertilisation and embryo development	US dollar 2,000 to 5,000	₹20,000 to ₹50,000
Embryo transfer	US dollar 2,000 to 5,000	₹15,000 to ₹50,000

These stages could be bundled into a single IVF package, by a single clinic. ,

What is the age limit for IVF in the USA?

There is no single nationwide legal maximum age for every IVF patient in the United States. Individual clinics establish policies based on

• medical evidence, the
• patient’s health and
• the likelihood of a safe pregnancy.

Some clinics impose their own upper age limits, particularly for treatment using a patient’s own eggs.

The likelihood of success using a woman’s own eggs declines substantially with age. Donor eggs can improve the chance of success in selected cases, but pregnancy risks associated with advanced maternal age remain.

For men, there is also no single federal maximum age that applies to all IVF treatment. Sperm quality, general health, genetic considerations and the clinic’s policies are relevant. Identifying the best age for ivf for men and women remains a personal and medical decision.

Anyone considering treatment in the United States should confirm the clinic’s age policy, total costs and success rates for patients with similar circumstances before starting treatment.

Frequently asked questions

Is preimplantation genetic testing permitted in India?

Preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) refers to the examining cells from an embryo created through IVF for particular genetic or chromosomal conditions.

It is not correct to say that all PGT is prohibited in India because of concerns about female foeticide.

The legal framework prohibits sex selection and sex determination for prohibited purposes.

PGT may be considered for appropriate medical indications, such as identifying certain inherited genetic conditions, subject to applicable law and clinical requirements.

Testing for a medical reason is not the same as selecting an embryo on the basis of sex. Patients should discuss the indication, limitations, costs and legal requirements with their fertility specialist.

Age alone does not give every patient permission to use any genetic test. The doctor must establish whether the test is clinically appropriate and legally permitted. Patients should also understand that PGT does not guarantee implantation, pregnancy or the birth of a healthy child but it does increase the chances of pregnancy .

When are donor eggs considered?

A specialist may discuss donor eggs when

• Ovarian reserve is severely reduced.
• The woman has experienced repeated unsuccessful IVF cycles associated with poor egg quality.
• Certain genetic conditions create a concern about using her own eggs.
• Premature ovarian insufficiency has affected egg production.
• Age-related changes make successful treatment with her own eggs less likely.

Donor eggs do not eliminate every risk. The recipient, who is the intended mother, still faces the usual risks associated with pregnancy, including complications related to age and underlying health conditions.

Additionally, not only this, There are also emotional, ethical and financial considerations, including the implications of donor conception for the family.

Is a patient punished for being over the age limit?

No, a patient cannot be directly punished by being over the age limit. The age requirements regulate access to ART services. They are not described as creating an automatic criminal penalty for a patient solely because they are older than the permitted age.

The legal consequences depend on the particular conduct of the treatments,meaning what type of treatment and things the clinic and patients did.

However again A clinic that provides services not in terms of applicable requirements can face regulatory and legal consequences.

For best and legal results,  take advice from a qualified lawyer familiar with the ART legislation.Consulting experts regarding the best age for ivf for men and women helps ensure full legal compliance.