Why do under 35s have to wait 12mo for treatment and over 35 only 6mo?

[mariannaf]

The older you get the longer, on average, for the average person, it should take to conceive, right? So why is it that couples over 35 have to wait a shorter amount of time before the docs will seriously consider helping them?

Let's say 2 couples have been trying for 6 months. One couple is 40 years old and the other is 25 years old. At 25yrs the average couple who are healthy would (probably) conceive before 6months and the fact that they haven't might indicate that there's an issue. Whereas at 40 the average may be above 6 months, and certainly longer average time at 40 than at 25, so the fact they haven't might mean they haven't been trying long enough. So why would the docs be willing to help the 40y.o but not 25y.o?

The reason I'm asking all this - we've been trying 5mo and so far no luck. We would be going via the private route anyway whether we go after 12 months or now, so is it worth flexing the truth a little and going to a private fertility clinic already for IVF or other treatments? We are 29 (me) and 34 (him). We've done sperm testing - he has borderline low sperm motility (29%) and borderline low sperm morphology (3%). We've also checked my uterus, fallopian tubes, done hormone testing on me - all fine. He is taking supplements

@ginandtonicwithlimes yes of course it depends on the couple and individual health, but the measure is based on all IVF transfers that result in a live birth. It's a higher % for younger women and lower % for older women.

Meaning of the total 55000 women each year who do it, only 25% of them will have a live birth. You you were in the 25% twice in different years.

I don't understand this post actually

Whats your beef?

Most nhs trusts have a cut off age of 40 so at 35 they need to move those patients quickly

If struggling to conceive at 30, chances are that it could happen naturally within 5 years

For a 35 year old woman, chances are it won't happen

@mariannaf
Becsuse when your over 35 egg quality and reserve declines. That's why if women are over 35 they need to seek help sooner as the fertility rapidly declines after 35. For a women who's 30 , this isn't to the same extent

@mariannaf also its because nhs has cut offs. Some starting at age 37 and referrals take time. Your chances at getting pregnant after 35 are much lower

Because the window will close soon once you’re over 35.

How did your appointment with gynae go? Were they able to give you any answers to ca125?