Women over the age of 35 hoping to start or expand their families may soon have a new ally in the often-challenging journey of in vitro fertilization (IVF). According to a series of recent reports published on August 25, 2025, a groundbreaking clinical trial at King's Fertility in London has found that genetic testing of IVF embryos—specifically, preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A)—could significantly accelerate conception for women in this age group. The findings offer new hope for reducing both the physical and emotional burdens of repeated IVF cycles for older women.
PGT-A is an add-on procedure in the IVF process that screens embryos for the correct number of chromosomes before they are implanted in the womb. This testing is particularly relevant for women over 35, as the natural decline in egg quality with age increases the risk of aneuploidy—a genetic condition where cells have missing or extra chromosomes compared to the normal 46. Aneuploidy is a leading cause of miscarriages, birth defects, and conditions such as Down's syndrome. As Dr. Yusuf Beebeejaun of King's College London and King's Fertility explained to Sky News, "The number of women starting their family above the age of 35 is increasing and women in this age group are more likely to create embryos with the wrong number of chromosomes. This increases the risk of unsuccessful implantation and miscarriages."
The trial at King's Fertility involved 100 women aged between 35 and 42, all undergoing fertility treatment. Half of the participants were given PGT-A tests on their embryos, while the other half followed standard IVF protocols without genetic screening. The results were striking: women who received PGT-A became pregnant in fewer embryo transfers and achieved a higher live birth rate—72% after up to three embryo transfers, compared with 52% in the non-tested group. These numbers, reported by outlets such as The Journal and The Guardian, underscore the potential of PGT-A to improve IVF outcomes for older women.
Beyond the statistics, the emotional impact of repeated IVF cycles can be profound. Failed implantations and miscarriages take a toll not just physically, but mentally as well. Dr. Beebeejaun highlighted this aspect, stating, "Our findings suggest that targeted use of PGT-A in this age group could help more women have a baby sooner, while also reducing the emotional toll of repeated unsuccessful cycles." Dr. Sesh Sunkara, also of King's College London and King's Fertility, echoed this sentiment and emphasized the importance of efficient treatment: "While larger multi-centre trials are needed to confirm these findings, improving treatment efficiency with a shorter time to achieving pregnancy and live birth could reduce the physical and emotional burden of IVF for women of advanced reproductive age."
One of the unique aspects of the King's Fertility trial was the inclusion of mosaic embryos—those containing both normal and abnormal cells. Mosaic embryos are often encountered in IVF but are rarely included in research studies. By examining outcomes for these embryos, the trial addressed questions that previous studies had left unexplored. As Dr. Sunkara noted, "By focusing exclusively on women aged 35 to 42 and including mosaic embryos, we have addressed questions that previous studies have not adequately explored."
For many women, the personal stories behind the statistics are what matter most. Ana, a 39-year-old participant in the trial, shared her experience after giving birth following her first embryo transfer with PGT-A. She told The Guardian, "I believed PGT-A would give me the relative peace of mind, that my future pregnancies would succeed with a higher rate. Also, that syndromes associated to aneuploidy like Down's were less likely. I believe PGT-A also helped my IVF journey, as I managed to become a mum to my beautiful child on my first attempt at embryo transfer. The fact that he was genetically normal, possibly made this more likely, as miscarriages are less frequent with genetically normal embryos. Having had a miscarriage in the past, for me it was important to minimise the risk of this happening again the most that I could. Having the opportunity to do this at King's Fertility was a blessing, in my eyes."
Despite its promise, PGT-A is not without risks or limitations. The UK's fertility regulator, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), notes that the test involves taking a biopsy from the embryo, which can sometimes cause damage and prevent further development. There is also the possibility of misdiagnosis. Moreover, PGT-A is not currently available through the National Health Service (NHS), meaning that access is limited to those who can afford private treatment. As reported by Sky News, these factors highlight the need for further research and careful consideration before PGT-A becomes a routine part of IVF for older women.
The researchers behind the study are calling for larger, multi-centre trials to confirm their findings and refine the approach. The results, published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine, suggest that eligibility for PGT-A could be expanded by including more women over the age of 39 and lowering the threshold for what constitutes a high-quality embryo. Dr. Sunkara emphasized, "Specific focus needs to be placed on including patients over the age of 39, and lowering the threshold for high quality embryos from three to two to increase eligibility."
Dr. Ippokratis Sarris, director of King's Fertility and co-author of the study, praised the dedication of his team and the significance of the research. "This research is a testament to the dedication and expertise of the team at King's Fertility. Not only were all patients recruited and treated here, but the embryology work was also carried out by our laboratory staff. We are proud to have led this pioneering trial, which addresses one of the most important questions in IVF treatment for women over 35, and we look forward to building on these findings in larger, multi-centre studies."
The broader context is clear: as more women choose to start families later in life, the demand for effective fertility treatments that minimize risk and emotional strain is only increasing. The findings from King's Fertility may soon help shape the future of IVF, offering a faster, safer, and more reassuring path to parenthood for women over 35. While challenges remain—including access, cost, and the need for further validation—the hope ignited by this research is palpable.
With each new discovery, the landscape of fertility treatment evolves, bringing with it the promise of more families, fewer heartbreaks, and a little more peace of mind for those on the journey.
