IVF involves a series of procedures. Starting from the time of ovulation induction to the embryo transfer, every step needs to be taken with care and precision.
Still, there might be times when IVF fails. So, what do you do when your IVF cycle fails? In this blog, we’ll look in detail at the reasons for IVF failure, how you can succeed in the next cycle, and what methods we at PFRC follow to improve your chances of success.
Reason for Failed IVF
IVF failure happens when the embryo fails to implant in the uterus. Below are some reasons for a failed IVF that you need to look out for.
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1. Egg quality
This issue is closely related to your age. If you are under 35, your egg quality will be good, and you will have a higher chance of IVF success. But, if you are over 40, your egg quality decreases, and it may have chromosomal abnormalities.
2. Sperm quality
Like women, men also produce low-quality sperm as they age. This can affect the fertilization rate and produce defective embryos.
A sperm’s quality is determined by its ability to swim and fertilize the egg. A low-quality sperm won’t be able to do this and may even have chromosomal abnormalities that may be passed to the baby.
3. Problems with the uterus or fallopian tubes
The uterus provides a nurturing environment for the embryo to implant and develop. The embryo won’t be able to do that if the uterus has any problems.
Certain uterine or tubal conditions like PCOS, uterine fibroids, endometriosis, polyps, adhesions, hydrosalpinges, etc., can decrease the uterus’ ability to implant the embryo.
4. Ovarian response to ovulation stimulation
Another reason for IVF failure is the hormonal injections you took during ovulation stimulation. Sometimes, your body may respond excessively to the injections and cause OHSS (Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome).
5. Genetic and chromosomal abnormalities
This condition is more common if you or your partner is over 40 or have genetic or other health conditions. The embryos developed from these eggs and sperm often have chromosomal abnormalities (less or excess number of chromosomes).
6. Lifestyle
The unhealthy lifestyle people follow today is one of the main reasons for infertility. Practices like smoking, alcohol, underweight, obesity, etc., can affect the chances of successful implantation.
How To Succeed in the Next Attempt?
Failing in an IVF cycle can be upsetting, but you don’t have to lose all hope. You can still succeed in your future cycles as long as you know what to do. By understanding how to reduce risk factors of IVF failure and following these essential steps, you can enhance your chances of success in subsequent IVF attempts.
1. Understand why your IVF cycle failed
This is the first thing you should note if you have a failed IVF cycle. We have already discussed some possible reasons for IVF failure at the beginning of the article. Discuss with your fertility doctor and identify the cause.
2. Consult your doctor and discuss safety measures
Once you know the reasons, you can take the necessary measures to avoid them in the next cycle. Take the tests suggested by your doctor and follow the safety measures they prescribe for you.
You can also discuss if you can opt for other fertility treatments like ICSI, IMSI, etc.
3. Take adequate rest before the next cycle
IVF can be physically and emotionally draining. Give your body and uterus time to recover from the stress they underwent during the ovulation induction, egg retrieval, and embryo transfer procedures.
Your body goes through a lot, and your emotional state may be fragile after a failed IVF cycle. Take a break, do things you enjoy, and prepare yourself mentally and physically for your next cycle.
Hi-Tech IVF Methods to Improve Your Chances of IVF Success
The average success rate for IVF treatments is around 50–60%. At PFRC, we follow some innovative and effective methods to increase the chances of success to up to 80%.
These techniques are calles Hi-Tech IVF methods. These are small techniques that can give you good results if done correctly. Below are some Hi-Tech methods we follow.
1. IMSI (Intracytoplasmic Morphologically Selected Sperm Injection)
This method is similar to ICSI in the fact that they both involve selecting the best sperm to be injected into the egg’s cytoplasm.
While ICSI gives around 200x magnification, IMSI gives around 6000x magnification, allowing embryologists to accurately select the sperm with the best chances of success.
2. Embryoscope
It is a hi-tech incubation device that monitors and captures images of fertilized embryos at regular intervals. With this, doctors don’t need to remove the embryos from the incubator for monitoring.
This device gives valuable insights into embryo development and helps select the best embryos for embryo transfer.
3. Embryo glue
A chemical substance made of Hyaluronan, embryo glue, coats the embryos before transferring them into the uterus. This will help embryos implant firmly into the uterine lining.
4. Pre-implantation Genetic Screening (PGS)
PGS allows embryologists to select embryos that have no chromosomal abnormalities. It involves removing one or more cells from an embryo and testing whether they have the normal 23 pairs of chromosomes (46 in total).
5. Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis(PGD)
PGD is done to reduce the risk of transferring embryos with genetic diseases passed on from the parents. This is usually done for couples who have a family history of genetic diseases like cystic fibrosis or sickle cell anemia.
6. ERA (Endometrial Receptivity Array)
An ERA analyzes a woman’s endometrial receptivity and assesses when she can receive the embryo without any issues.
This test helps find and rectify endometrium issues before the embryos are transferred. This increases the chances of successful implantations.
7. Cytoplasmic transfer
Here, the cytoplasm of high-quality donor eggs is transferred to patients with poor egg quality.
This intricate method to improve pregnancy success rate works best for older women whose eggs have lost their quality or for young women who suffer from unexplained infertility.
8. Testicular sperm mapping
In most men with Azoospermia (low/no sperm count), a small number of sperm will be produced in specific focal areas. This test can determine if and where these sperm are produced.
These sperm can be used in procedures like ICSI/IMSI, thus giving these men a chance to have their biological child.
9. Stem cell therapy
This therapy strengthens the endometrial lining of women with a thin endometrial lining that leads to implantation failure. Stem cell therapy can improve these women’s chances of implantation and pregnancy.
10. Acupuncture
This acupuncture stimulates the neurotransmitters that trigger gonadotropin-releasing hormones, stimulate blood flow to the uterus, and cause the body to relax.
11. Ovarian rejuvenation therapy
Ovarian rejuvenation is a technique that can help produce fresh eggs in the ovaries of women who wish to have their biological child but cannot conceive due to early menopause, late maternal age, or low oocyte (egg) reserves.
Conclusion
Failing in the first few attempts is normal during IVF treatment . You don’t have to worry too much about it. Most women only succeed in IVF pregnancy during their third or fourth cycles.
Instead of stressing over the failure, identifying the cause of the body rejecting the embryo can help you take the necessary steps to avoid it in future cycles. Contact your fertility doctor and work together as a team to tackle the issues.
FAQs
If your first IVF cycle fails, it doesn’t mean you have no further options. The second cycle is still an option for you. Discuss with your fertility doctor and take steps to succeed in the next cycles.
The average success rate of IVF is 50-60%. With hi-tech IVF methods, the efficiency of these cycles can be improved, and the success rates can go up to 80%.
After a failed implantation, the embryo stops growing because it can’t establish a blood flow with the uterus. Its cells die, and the embryo is absorbed and expelled with the uterine tissue during your periods.
