How Successful is IVF Treatment?

Given the high cost of a single cycle of in vitro fertilisation (IVF), it is normal for a couple to reconsider their decision to undergo it. Most often, such couples end up thinking about whether IVF will work for them. But the good news is that IVF does work as a technique. It is generally successful for women aged below 35 and those who decide to use donor eggs.

However, that does not mean that a woman cannot get pregnant in the first cycle of IVF. While for some women it just takes one attempt, others may take as many as five to six attempts to be able to conceive successfully. Some women, sadly, are not able to conceive no matter how many cycles of IVF they undergo. The overall success of IVF depends on various factors. For example, it depends on the age of the female partners and the quality of the eggs that she produces. Additionally, it also depends on the quality of the sperm with respect to their structure, motility, and mobility.

Overall, IVF treatment is a successful technique in its own right. It has enabled millions of couples from around the world to conceive and give birth to babies without complications. Thanks to advanced technological tools and other advancements in the field of infertility treatment, even women aged 40 and above are now able to get pregnant and give birth. This is why an increasing number of celebrities and other career-oriented women are not in favour of delayed motherhood.

Factors Affecting the Success of IVF

The factors that affect the success of IVF are of prime interest to any couple planning to give it a shot. There are several factors that may hinder your ability to get pregnant through IVF. Some of these factors are explained below.

Age of the Female Partner

The quantity and the quality of eggs in a woman's ovarian reserve decrease with an increase in age. The younger the woman, the better the quality of her ovarian reserve. It is estimated that two-thirds of a woman in her 20s' eggs are genetically normal and available for use in the future. Whereas for a 35-year-old and 40-year-old woman, only 40 to 50 per cent and 10 to 20 per cent of the eggs are genetically normal, respectively.

This is the reason why even healthier women who are above 35 are less fertile than other healthier women who are less than 35 years of age. The following table highlights the overall probability of live birth using IVF in different age groups of women.

Female age group	Live birth rate per retrieval (%)
<35	50 - 60
35 to 37	35 - 45
38 to 40	25 - 35
41 to 42	10 - 20
>43	5 - 10

History of Previous Pregnancies

The IVF success rates are higher if the female partner has been pregnant before with the same male partner with whom she is undergoing IVF. On the other hand, a history of repeated miscarriage or spontaneous abortion or a different partner may, on the other hand, may reduce the chances of IVF success.

Use of Donor Eggs

Women aged 35 and older, especially those aged 40 to 43, are recommended to use donor eggs. This is because there are greater chances of success with IVF. The doctor may ask the couple to opt for donor eggs of higher quality to improve the chances of conception during the IVF cycle.

Lifestyle Factors

Weight issues and smoking are the two independent factors that decrease the success of IVF. Both overweight or obese and underweight women are at a greater risk of experiencing IVF failure. Therefore, staying within the healthy range is the best a woman can do to increase her chances of conception during an IVF cycle. Many women are advised to stop smoking at least three months before the first IVF attempt.

Women who smoke have a lower implantation rate than their non-smoking counterparts. Additionally, they require higher doses of fertility drugs to stimulate the ovaries to produce eggs. Such women also experience more failed fertilisation cycles. Therefore, they are more likely to undergo more IVF attempts.

Type of Fertility Issue

Some males suffer from fertility issues, which may hamper the success of IVF. Additionally, specific female fertility issues such as fibroid tumor and uterine abnormalities also decrease the chances of IVF success. The chances of IVF success are also less in women who suffer from ovarian dysfunction. High FSH levels, which indicate low ovarian reserve, are one such dysfunction that lowers IVF success. Such women often need greater doses of ovulation stimulation medications.

Experience and Expertise of the Fertility Specialist

Your fertility specialist will play a leading role during the entire process. He or she will not only conduct the procedure but also provide you with emotional and psychological support throughout the IVF journey. Therefore, you must choose the specialist carefully. An IVF specialist who holds a qualification and experience is bound to deliver greater IVF success rates.

Quality of the Fertility Clinic

The quality of the clinic that you choose for infertility treatment has a great impact on IVF success. The fertility center that you choose must be accredited and recognised by an official body. Additionally, the laboratory where all the IVF steps are performed must possess the latest tools and technology and a suitable environment. You can ask the clinic representative how many cases they have handled so far. Also, ask about the clinic's IVF success rate.

Length of Infertility

The length of infertility also has an impact on IVF success. For example, the longer the time frame a couple has been infertile, the lower the chances of IVF success.