Top 5 Factors That Affect IVF Success Rates

Since the world’s first IVF baby was born in 1978, more than eight million babies have been born through assisted reproductive technologies. While there are no guarantees, IVF is the most effective form of fertility treatment.

Here are the top five factors that affect IVF success rates:

Age

A patient’s age is one of the most important factors when it comes to IVF success rates. Women under 34 years old typically have a higher success rate as the 24-34 age range is when women are at the peak of their fertility. And, as a woman’s age increases, then so does the quantity and quality of her eggs. Men also have their own ‘biological clock’ and can see their sperm quality also start to drop from around the age of 34. 

However, age should not be a barrier to IVF as fertility treatments can be successful at every stage of a woman’s reproductive life. There also may be hormonal imbalances at play that could at least be addressed at a hormonal balance Vancouver fertility clinic.

Pregnancy history

A patient’s previous pregnancy history can also factor when it comes to assessing the likely success of IVF treatment. 

A woman who has been pregnant before (with or without assisted reproductive technologies) and carried a baby to full term has a greater chance of successfully conceiving through IVF. However, a history of recurrent miscarriage can mean a patient may not respond so well to IVF treatment. That isn’t to say fertility treatment should be ruled out, but it may be other forms of more advanced treatment are more appropriate – so do discuss all the options with your fertility specialist. 

Type of fertility problem

There are some fertility issues that IVF has a better rate of overcoming, compared to other problems. IVF works particularly well with infertility caused by blockages in the fallopian tubes, or a condition called endometriosis which affects the lining of the womb. Issues with ovulation and fertility issues for men such as low sperm count or sperm motility often respond well to IVF too. Issues with ovulation and low sperm count or sperm motility often respond well to IVF too. On the flip side, there are some fertility problems where IVF doesn’t have such a good success rate, including fibroids, uterine abnormalities, and ovarian dysfunction and alternative fertility treatments may be needed. 

Use of donor eggs

When treating women who are over 35-40 or who have issues with ovulation or egg quality, the use of donor eggs in IVF treatment can help to increase its success rate, rather than using a patient’s own eggs. In the case of dual factor infertility – low sperm count and low egg numbers or poor egg quality – then donor embryos can also be a factor in the success rate of IVF treatment. 

Lifestyle

Our final IVF success rate factor is one that patients can directly influence themselves and that is living as healthy a lifestyle as possible. Smoking, excessive alcohol, a high BMI, lack of regular exercise and eating a diet that is nutritionally poor can all negatively impact on the chance of IVF being a success. 

Smoking 10 or more cigarettes a day has been proved to reduce the womb’s receptiveness to egg implantation and can reduce the odds of a successful pregnancy by more than 50%, compared to a non-smoker. And, when it comes to alcohol consumption, just one to five drinks a week can reduce a woman’s chance of conceiving. Meanwhile being overweight or obese can affect ovulation and how your body processes fertility medication and treatment.  

And finally, get advice

If you are in any doubt about whether IVF treatment is the right option for you, speak to your physician or fertility clinic in London for a full assessment. Working with the right fertility specialist is another key factor in getting the right treatment and ultimately increasing your rate of a successful IVF pregnancy.