Infertility factors and pregnancy outcome in women above age 35.

Infertility factors and pregnancy outcome were investigated in 65 infertile couples in which the female partner was over 35 years of age (Group 1). The results were compared with those obtained in a control group of couples of which the woman was aged less than 35 years (Group 2). A complete infertility evaluation, including laparoscopy, was performed in all couples. In Group 1, the commonest was tubal factor (35.4%), significantly lower than in Group 2 (20%) (p less than 0.05). Ovulatory factor was present in 6.1% of women in Group 1 and in 15.4% of patients in Group 2 (p less than 0.02). The overall pregnancy rates in Groups 1 and 2 were 37% and 45%, respectively (p = 0.37). There was a significantly higher incidence of first-trimester abortion in Group 1 (33.5%) than in Group 2 (10.3%) (p less than 0.05%).