IVF age limit of 35 may be imposed

An age limit as low as 35 may be imposed by the UK government on women seeking public funding for IVF as part of a national strategy for securing uniform access to the treatment. There is speculation that the government is considering strict guidelines that will cover age, whether the couple seeking a baby by IVF already have a child, the number of attempts they will be allowed and health factors such as whether the women smokes or is overweight. These controversial proposals are being discussed as part of a pledge from ministers to end the 'postcode lottery' that currently exists in the UK where there are major differences between health authorities in the provision of IVF on the National Health Service (NHS). The idea behind this attempt at uniformity in treatment provision is that IVF will be made available only to those who are most likely to benefit. A cycle of IVF in the private sector costs about £2000. The NHS spends about £48m a year on infertility treatments. Ministers are awaiting a report by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists before announcing the new guidelines later this year. But sources involved in the review said they will advise the government that the success of IVF falls sharply as a woman approaches 40.