Ageism in Assisted Reproduction

Female fertility declines at a much faster pace than male fertility. In the past four decades, assisted reproduction treatments (ARTs) have dramatically increased women’s chances of getting pregnant over the age of 35. Yet, it is still very difficult for women in their mid-40s (and older) to get pregnant since the ART success rate decreases as women’s age advances, and many European countries legally prevent women over the age of 45 from accessing ARTs. This chapter argues that removing the legal upper age limits to accessing ARTs is a necessary step but that it is also important to develop medical treatments that prevent loss of fertility due to ageing.