Do IVF treatments have a hundred percent success rate? The short answer is NO!
This is a common prevailing myth around IVF treatments, which does not signify any truth.
The truth is that IVF treatment is an extensive procedure that only guarantees 100% success for which the success varies depending on the personalized conditions of an individual. A myriad of controllable and uncontrollable factors affect the success rates of IVF Procedures. Nevertheless, IVF procedures have still managed to help countless women with infertility issues, build families, and bring the joy of parenthood to many couples. Therefore, it is necessary to understand how IVF works, 2the actual success rates, and the cases where IVF is unsuccessful.
How does IVF Work?
IVF is an advanced fertility treatment for people who are unable to conceive naturally. In this process, sperm and an egg are fertilized outside the human body in an artificial environment created in the laboratory to enable and boost the fertilization process.
The first step in this process requires you to consume medication that suppresses your menstrual cycle.
Then, a fertility hormone, FSH(follicle-stimulating hormone), and a maturity hormone, HCG(Human Chorionic Gonadotropin), are injected intravenously to increase egg production and make them mature and ready to be fertilized.
Now, your eggs are collected using a needle that is passed through your vagina. This is done under ultrasound guidance for each ovary.
After collection, the eggs are mixed with the sperm and left for fertilization under laboratory conditions for about six days.
After the successful fertilization of eggs, a catheter is passed through your vagina, and the embryos are transferred into your womb.
The last step involves active monitoring of fetal developments in the womb to prevent any complications that may arise throughout the pregnancy.
What is the success rate of IVF?
IVF provides solutions to infertility in individuals by fertilizing the eggs in an external environment in Laboratories. The success rates of IVF procedures vary depending on many different factors, including age and number of IVF cycles and other factors such as a male partner or donor’s sperm health & motility, ovarian response, lifestyle, etc.
Related Blog: Does Sperm Quality Affect IVF Success?
Here is a table providing the changing success rates according to different age groups and number of cycles:
| Age Groups | First Cycle | Second Cycle | Third Cycle |
| Below 30 | 43% | 59% | 66% |
| 30-33 | 48% | 61% | 67% |
| 34-35 | 40% | 54% | 61% |
| 36-37 | 32% | 44% | 50% |
| 38-39 | 22% | 32% | 38% |
| 40-41 | 13% | 21% | 25% |
| 42+ | 2% | 5% | 5% |
Note: These figures are not universal but are just average estimates calculated using data from various cases of IVF procedures. Success rates may vary from person to person due to different factors, including, but not limited to, the factors mentioned above.
Also Read: Success Rate Of IVF With Donor Eggs In India
How successful is IVF on the first try?
Most patients considering an IVF procedure ask this question, so let us explain it all.
Research shows that most women who go through IVF treatment are not able to conceive after the first cycle, irrespective of their age. The first cycle of IVF procedures has a global average success rate of around 30% to 40%.
This is the reason why most individuals and couples have to go through two or three cycles of treatment for healthy conception.
Some evidence shows that the success rate increases with more IVF cycles. Subsequent IVF cycles, if prescribed by your physician, are completely normal.
Also, younger women have a higher success rate than women aged 35 and above due to their better egg quality and ovarian reserve.
In which cases IVF is not successful?
You must wonder, ‘What are the cases where IVF treatments fail or are unsuccessful?’ Although there may be a lot of reasons for unsuccessful or failed IVF procedures, here are some common and most occurring reasons:
Embryo Quality: Embryos may look healthy and normal in the laboratory but may fail to implant into the patient’s uterus due to invisible defects. Genetics and cellular activity also affect implantation.
Ovarian Response: Some patients’ ovaries do not respond effectively to the FSH(follicle-stimulating hormone), which is injected at the beginning of the procedure to boost egg production. This causes failure to produce multiple eggs, resulting in lower chances of success.
Lifestyle: Habits such as smoking and alcohol consumption negatively impact IVF procedures just as they do in normal pregnancy. It is advised to avoid smoking and drinking while on an IVF procedure, as well as throughout the pregnancy.
Genetic Abnormality: Genetic or chromosomal abnormalities can lead to implantation failure and miscarriages. These abnormalities cause the body to reject the embryos, leading to IVF failure.
Existing Health Conditions: Existing health conditions like PCOS(polycystic ovarian syndrome), autoimmune disorders, and other health conditions may increase risks of failure and unsuccessful IVF procedures.
Consult with the best IVF specialist today!
Infertility can be a tough experience for individuals as well as the family. IVF procedures have made lives better by providing fertility solutions and enabling parenthood for many infertile couples. However, Having good knowledge about IVF and consulting with a trusted IVF center before going through IVF treatments is crucial. So, if you are considering an IVF procedure, why not go with the best and most trusted IVF Centre – Crysta IVF? Book your consultation with Crysta IVF today!
Read More Blogs:
Precautions for women considering IVF after 40
Fresh or Frozen Embryo Transfer?
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How many injections are required for an IVF treatment?
Verified by Crysta IVF Fertility Experts
