IVF expert says mid-career women limit chances of falling pregnant in mid-30s

Time is running out for women who want to conceive at 35 or older as age is one of the major causes of infertility, a Queensland's IVF expert has warned.

This follows a new study which revealed a concerning number of Australian women who lacked awareness about their fertility, reports the Daily Mail.

It showed that many women wrongly believed that IVF was a 'safety net' but in fact need to start trying early if they want to start a family, Queensland Fertility Group medical director David Molloy said.

The survey of 1000 women, released today by IVFAustralia, Melbourne IVF and Queensland Fertility Group, found a shocking 64 per cent of respondents didn't know their fertility would decline rapidly from 36 onwards.

It also showed 60 per cent of women thought that infertility in their 40s can be resolved through IVF. However this is a complete misconception.

Dr Molloy said IVF doesn't guarantee pregnancy as success rates rapidly decline for aging women.

"Your highest chance of success having a child will be if you can conceive before the age of 35. One of the most common reasons we see patients is age-related infertility, they are basically a modern woman – educated and a valuable addition to the workforce, but what has suffered is their fertility," Dr Molloy told The Courier Mail.