Understanding the Myths and Facts Behind IVF Failure

IVF treatment is a family planning solution for individuals and couples who have had difficulty conceiving naturally. Fertility specialists may recommend IVF to women who have been diagnosed with infertility and underlying conditions like endometriosis. Here are some myths about IVF failure and some facts that disprove them:

Female Infertility Causes IVF Failure

A myth about IVF failure is that a woman's infertility is the only cause of unsuccessful implantation or pregnancy. While a woman's hormone levels and other factors contribute to the success of an IVF cycle, pregnancy success could also be impacted by the male partner's genetics. Sperm issues, like low motility, poor quality, or DNA errors, could lead to an unsuccessful IVF cycle. 

Fertility specialists select healthy eggs and sperm for IVF, but some underlying genetic or hormonal conditions impact the embryo's development after implantation. These circumstances prompt fertility specialists to perform genetic testing before selecting eggs and sperm for future IVF treatments. Genetic testing helps specialists develop embryos with greater chances of developmental success. 

Infertility Treatments Are Limited After Failed IVF

Couples who experience IVF failure can still pursue infertility treatments and more IVF cycles. Doctors may recommend another round of IVF or a deeper look into the couple's infertility after a failed cycle. Before starting another IVF treatment, fertility specialists ask about couples' lifestyle habits, past medical diagnoses, and family health conditions. Learning more about their fertility status helps specialists identify alternative treatments that could lead to conception. Some fertility treatments that increase the chances of conception and successful pregnancies include hormone therapy and corrective surgery for uterine abnormalities. These treatments can be used in combination with IVF to improve couples' fertility levels. 

If IVF Failed Once, It Always Will

One failed IVF cycle does not mean that every future treatment will fail. Because many factors contribute to a successful pregnancy, couples may still be able to conceive through IVF after a failed treatment. Fertility specialists will assess factors that could have contributed to the failure and create a treatment plan that addresses those concerns. This involves conducting genetic and hormonal tests to increase the chances of a healthy and successful pregnancy. If couples experience many IVF failures, fertility specialists may recommend alternative family planning options. Some options include egg and sperm donors, adoption, or surrogacy.

Failed IVF Treatments Have Clear Causes

There can be many causes of IVF failure that are connected to infertility in women and men. Sometimes the cause of failure is related to lifestyle factors, like stress and substance use, that reduce the quality of egg and sperm samples. In some IVF failures, underlying health conditions like endometriosis and polycystic ovarian syndrome may be responsible for implantation issues or pregnancy loss. To diagnose these underlying conditions, fertility specialists use methods like protein marker tests, ultrasounds, and laparoscopy procedures. These diagnostic methods allow doctors to identify uterine lining inflammation, ovarian cysts, and abnormal endometrial tissue growths that could be preventing IVF success. Doctors may then recommend treatment for endometriosis or polycystic ovarian syndrome to reduce their impact on infertility. Some treatment options include hormone therapy and surgery to remove endometrial tissue and cyst growths. 

Other causes for failed IVF include age, autoimmune conditions, and reproductive organ structure abnormalities. As women age, the quality of their eggs decreases, leading to potential infertility issues. Autoimmune disorders may result in higher inflammation levels in the body, reducing the chances of successful embryo implantation. Inflammation also restricts the amount of nutrients sent to implanted embryos, preventing proper development. Abnormalities in the uterus structure could prevent embryos from implanting properly. Structural issues also restrict embryo development by limiting blood flow and nutrient flow to the developing tissues. Doctors may suggest reconstructive surgeries and other alternative conception methods for women experiencing failed IVF due to age, autoimmune conditions, or uterine abnormalities.

Learn More About IVF Treatments

Couples can meet with fertility specialists to learn more about IVF treatments. These specialists may perform health screenings to determine whether both partners are good candidates for the treatment. Pre-IVF screenings may involve collecting tissue samples and conducting genetic testing to identify potential infertility markers. Contact a fertility specialist today to schedule a consultation and learn more about using IVF for family planning.