IVF failure is a mentally and emotionally challenging phase. While going through IVF treatment, there is hope during the scans, emotional tears, and hormone shots. And when things don’t turn out in your favor, it takes time to gather courage and say “We’ll try again”.
If you’re here and wondering why IVF didn’t work, there can be several things that affect your chances of IVF success.
Maybe you want a direct answer or are simply tired of hearing vague explanations like “Sometimes it just doesn’t work.” You deserve clarity.
Let’s deep dive into the science-backed reasons behind IVF failure, and what to do if you are starting with IVF second cycle. Understanding the reasons might make you more equipped to get positive results of IVF treatment.
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Embryo quality and its role in IVF Failure
It may shock you to know that embryo quality can appear totally fine in a microscope and still not be viable. It can happen due to chromosomal abnormalities that are not always visible. Often, it can be the root cause behind repeated IVF failure.
If your first IVF cycle didn’t progress into pregnancy, check with your doctor if embryo testing (like PGT-A) might help for the second round. It screens embryos for chromosomal disorders, enabling you to pick the one with the best chances of implantation. Better embryo grading comes from adjusting medication doses, lab techniques, or even changing clinics. Yes, that’s a real thing. IVF lab quality makes or breaks the cycle.
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Effects of uterine health on IVF success rates by age
Even the healthiest embryo needs a viable environment for implantation. If the uterine lining isn’t ideal, implantation might not happen. Issues like uterine fibroids, scarring, chronic inflammation, or polyps can affect success. Often, they are not easily identified in routine scans. If your cycle failed and doctors didn’t check the uterus thoroughly, ask about a hysteroscopy or an ERA (endometrial receptivity analysis). These tests can be very effective for those going for a second IVF cycle. Improving the uterine condition with medications, surgical procedures, or timing adjustments can mitigate the causes that lead to IVF failure
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Missed Timing: Why First Attempts Sometimes Fail
In embryo transfer, precision of timing is the most crucial factor. Your body has a specific window when the uterus is in receptive mode for implantation. If the doctor transfers the embryo outside that window, most likely it will not attach. More fertility specialists recommend ERA testing after one or more failed transfers. It assesses your unique window of implantation. A lot of couples also prefer frozen embryo transfers (FET) on the second try. Because FET provides more control over timing and less hormonal fluctuation.
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Genetic and immune factors in repeated IVF failure
Sometimes the issue may not be easily identified by your IVF doctor. Sperm or egg quality might carry undetected genetic abnormalities. Or your immune system might consider the embryo as a threat and attack it (yes, this can occur in an autoimmune disorder)
Advanced tests like karyotyping, sperm DNA fragmentation, and immune panels can prove to be very beneficial before the second cycle of IVF. If you’ve had repeated IVF failure, ask your doctor to dig deeper than the standard fertility workup. The more thorough your work-up is, the better your chances of success with IVF in the second attempt.
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Impact of age on IVF success rate
As your age progresses, IVF success rate tend to go down. As we get older, our egg reserve drops, and so does the quality. So, women under 35 generally have better chances of a positive IVF cycle.
If you’re above 35 years of age, your IVF protocol might need adjustment. In such cases, couples often choose donor eggs if there is a major decline in the keyword. It’s a hard conversation, but a real and vulnerable one. The goal is to try smarter.
IVF success rate in first attempt
Mostly, couples expect IVF to be successful on the first try. Sometimes it works out and that’s beautiful. However, the average IVF success rate in first attempt ranges from 30% to 40%, depending on various factors such as age, egg quality, embryo quality, and sperm quality.
If you experienced failure in the first IVF cycle, your chances for the 2nd IVF success rate might be better, because now your doctor understands your body better. Every cycle gives more data to improve the next one.
How to increase IVF second cycle success rate?
As you plan for the second IVF cycle, use the following tips to increase your chances of success here are some practical steps you can take:
- Ask for a full review of your previous IVF cycle from your doctor – to understand the loopholes.
- Inquire about additional testing: PGT-A, ERA, immune testing, etc.
- Prioritize lowering inflammation with nutritious diet, physical movement and stress management activities.
- Thoroughly check the clinic’s lab quality and success rates
- Keep an open communication with your doctor, don’t hesitate in asking why, what else, and what now.
Don’t focus on doing more, rather choosing what’s working best for the specific needs of your body.
Mindset shift is pivotal in moving from IVF failure to a successful second IVF cycle
Your IVF journey may feel hard at times and it may ask more from you than you thought you would give.
Assess if you are all set to try again for IVF. When assessing your readiness, check for the following factors:
- You have completely recovered, both physically and emotionally from the first round IVF procedure.
- You feel internally prepared to navigate the IVF journey once again
- You are well aware of the additional tests that can help a lot
- Your discussion with the doctor regarding the first cycle’s outcomes is done
Instead of rushing, take the required buffer time. And, when ready to put IVF failure into your past, pump up yourself with knowledge and right support system
Need help planning your second IVF cycle?
Talk to our fertility specialist at Pristyn Care Ferticity. Ask for new strategies and if something doesn’t sink in well, ask again. You’ve got this. Every IVF cycle, whether successful or not, offers some valuable insight. The IVF second cycle success rate goes beyond numbers and has more to do with the right adjustments, support, and showing up with more confidence and knowledge this time.
Remember that one “no” doesn’t mean the end of hope in the IVF. You’re now aware of how to maneuver the process and that is an added advantage. Keep hope close, it’s more powerful than we know. To book your consultation with our expert Fertility specialist, visit Pristyn Care Ferticity now.