The Egg Factor

The Fertility Cliff Reconsidered: What the Data Really Shows for Women 40 and Over

Center For Human Reproduction

We’ve all heard it: after 40, your chances of conceiving with your own eggs plummet. But is the data behind the so-called "fertility cliff" as clear-cut as it seems?

In this episode of The Egg Factor, CHR's Dr. Norbert Gleicher unpacks research, clinical experience, and patient outcomes to challenge the mainstream narrative. He explores how fertility statistics have been widely misinterpreted, why donor eggs are often recommended too quickly, and what ovarian potential really looks like in women over 40.

If you’ve been told your only option is egg donation—or you’re wondering whether age alone should determine your treatment path—this conversation is for you.

Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Brought to you by the Center for Human Reproduction (CHR) on the Upper East Side of New York City. With over 40 years of experience and a history of innovation, CHR has been at the forefront of fertility care since the beginning. 

Our founder, Dr. Norbert Gleicher, reported the first successful transvaginal egg retrieval in human history, helping to shape the future of IVF as we know it today. CHR is known for tackling some of the most challenging fertility cases—especially women over 40 and those with diminished ovarian reserve—by offering highly individualized, evidence-based care when others often turn patients away.

Our team has published more than 450 peer-reviewed research papers advancing reproductive medicine, reflecting our deep commitment not only to patient care but to the science that drives better outcomes. At CHR, you're never just a number. You're part of a community focused on giving you the personalized support, science, and hope you deserve.


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