New research suggests that older women, even when using young donor eggs, face significant challenges in achieving pregnancy and live births.A study analyzing data from 1,774 women found that those aged 49 and over had double the miscarriage risk compared to women aged 35-40, with live birth rates dropping from 46% to 32%.Experts attribute this to age-related changes in the womb lining, or endometrium, which may be treatable in the future.

While donor eggs can improve fertility outcomes, they do not fully 'reset' the reproductive clock, as highlighted by lead researcher Dr Beatrice Crestani.The study also notes that success rates remain meaningful for older women, though risks increase beyond 49 years.

Real-life accounts, such as TV presenter Sharon Marshall's IVF journey in her 40s, underscore the physical and emotional toll of fertility treatments.In the UK, there is no legal upper age limit for IVF, but guidelines recommend limited cycles for women over 40.

Researchers emphasize the need for thorough counselling and further studies to identify biomarkers of uterine ageing, offering hope for future advancements in reproductive medicine.