Women should be able to get fertility treatment up to the age of 42 on the British NHS, according to guidelines published today.
The guidance from the UK National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence increases the upper age limit for treatment up to the age of 42.
And it makes it clear that same sex couples should be eligible for assistance.
The guidance also says that couples with unexplained infertility should spend two years seeking to conceive before seeking NHS help.
And it says that doctors should only transfer a single embryo when treating women under the age of 40.
Gynaecologists welcomed the new guidelines.
Dr Tony Falconer, president of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, said: "People experiencing fertility problems should be able to get the most appropriate and effective medical treatment and in a timely fashion.
"We strongly endorse the recommendation that single embryo transfer is used if possible for women aged 39 and under. We know that replacing more than one embryo in the uterus can result in a multiple pregnancy, which carries a higher risk of complications, therefore a reduction in multiple births would have major benefits to both mother and child."
He added: "We are aware that maternal age has risen over the years and that it is harder for older women to conceive naturally. The recommendation that IVF treatment be made available up to the age of 42 provides more choice for women but they should still be aware of the increased risks associated with pregnancy at advanced maternal age."
A spokesman for the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority called for "fair" implementation of the guideline across England.
He said: "We hope that the new guideline enabling some women aged 40 to 42 to access funded fertility treatment will give hope to those older patients who may not otherwise have been able to try for a family."
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