Is ivf 100% successful
Oct 2024 Author
IVF

Is IVF a 100% Successful Treatment Process?

Infertility is a major roadblock in the path of parenthood. However, the good news here is that there are ways to counter this problem, one of the most popular being IVF. That said, there are many questions surrounding this treatment. Among the many queries, one of the most common questions asked is, "Is IVF 100% successful?" The plain and simple answer to this would be that it is not 100% successful, and there are certain failures possible in it. There are, in general, several factors that contribute to the success rate in IVF, and even some reasons that can say why it fails.

In this blog, we answer your question of “Is IVF 100% successful?” while providing you with factors affecting its success rates and some reasons why it fails. Along with this, we also provide you with a brief overview of how it works and when it is recommended. So, keeping this in mind, let's get started!

How Does IVF Work?

How Does IVF Work?

Before we discuss any other aspect of IVF, we first need to discuss how IVF works. Once you know of its working process, you can have a slight glimpse into the reasons for its success and failures. So, how does IVF work? Key steps of how IVF works include:

  • The injectable fertility medications stimulate the eggs and give the boost for maturation.
  • Once these eggs have matured, they are retrieved through a minor surgical procedure called follicular aspiration.
  • Following this process, the experts collect the sperm from the male partner or a donor.
  • Experts inseminate the eggs with the sperm in a carefully monitored laboratory setting. 
  • After about three to five days from insemination, the doctors place the fertilized embryo into the uterus.

While the specific process is a bit more complicated than this, the outline we mentioned does provide you with a general idea of how the IVF process works.

When Is IVF Recommended?

After discussing how IVF works, let’s now discuss some of the specific conditions when IVF is recommended by doctors. Now, note that the specific conditions when the doctors recommend IVF to you depend on your health conditions. One of the main times when you can be recommended with IVF includes:

  • Problems of occluded or damaged fallopian tubes: In fact, it is the very fact that in IVF, the Fallopian tube is bypassed altogether by retrieving the eggs directly and then fertilizing them in the laboratory. So, if one has a blocked or damaged fallopian tube, the infertility specialists can recommend infertility treatments such as IVF.
  • Male factor infertility: Low sperm count, poor motility, or abnormal sperm morphology is easily overcome by IVF with the use of sophisticated sperm selection techniques such as ICSI.
  • Unexplained infertility: If no obvious cause of the infertility has been found through the usual testing, then IVF is one of the most effective treatment options. This is because the treatment of IVF bypasses the natural fertilization process directly and may allow you to conceive when no specific cause of infertility has been determined.
  • Age-related infertility: With the advancement of age, both the quality and quantity of the eggs start deteriorating. Under such circumstances, the experts then suggest the IVF option, which becomes quite viable and is considered one of the best options for older women trying to conceive.
  • Failure of previous treatments: You might be those couples who have not been able to conceive with less invasive treatments like Ovulation Induction or IUI; in this regard, the experts may suggest IVF, which may hold higher success rates.
  • Genetic disorders: Couples carrying a risk of passing on genetic diseases are better off with IVF with Preimplantation Genetic Testing, PGT. This way, only healthy embryos are transferred.
  • Endometriosis: This could be treated successfully with the method of IVF if one experiences severe forms of endometriosis, wherein the uterine lining grows out of your uterus. Hence, the specialists will be able to advise you with this form of treatment if you happen to be suffering from endometriosis.
  • Ovulation disorders: If you are a female suffering from Polycystic Ovary Syndrome or some other hormonal problems, then the specialists could suggest to you the IVF method, which helps in regulating and stimulating egg production.

Is IVF a 100% Successful?

Is IVF a 100% Successful?

Now that we have discussed what IVF is when it is recommended, and how it works, let’s discuss the key question of this topic. Is IVF 100% successful? The simple answer is no - it is not 100% successful. IVF is a medical procedure, and just like any medical procedure, there is a chance of this medical procedure failing. That said, although IVF does have risks of failure, it does have a high chance of success. While the specific success rates vary, at Hardik IVF and Fertility Center, the success rate of IVF is between 70% and 80%. As you can see, while highly effective, IVF may not be foolproof.

Success Factors of IVF Treatment

So, IVF is not always successful, and there is a possibility of failure associated with it. Now, the following question arises, what are those factors that would allow or bring variation in the success rate of IVF treatment? Some of the important factors affecting the success rate of IVF treatment includes:

1. Embryo or Egg Quality and Quantity

Success rate in general, quantity, and quality of eggs and/or embryos is usually one factor that normally influences the success rate of treatment. The higher the quality of eggs or embryos, the higher are the success rates of IVF. Better quality eggs bring better embryo development, which in turn further enhances the implantation and healthy pregnancy rates.

2. Sperm Quality And Quantity

Apart from the issues of the number and quality of eggs, another factor in the general success rate of IVF is sperm quality and number. Naturally, you increase the chance of IVF success if you have healthy and motile sperm. Conditions like low count, poor motility, or abnormal shape diminish the chances of fertilization, so sperm quality is important. 

3. Stimulation Protocols And Ovulation

In addition to the quality of the eggs and sperm, these particular fertility medications and stimulation protocols that cause the ovulation have profound roles. The timing of retrieval of the egg, therefore, is of utmost importance. This is because any early or late retrieval of the ovum is associated with a decrease in the viability of the egg and overall success of IVF.

4. Uterine Receptibility

One other very important factor that will contribute to the success of the IVF procedure is the receptivity of the endometrium, or uterine lining. The receptivity of the endometrium is considered to be successful in implanting the embryo. When your receptivity gets thickened properly, that would be an ideal environment for the embryo to attach and grow inside. This does catch up with a big impact on the outcome of IVF treatment.

These are just some of the significant factors that can impact the overall success rate of the facility as a whole concerning IVF. But what are the reasons why IVF fails?

Reason For IVF Failure

Reason For IVF Failure

So, by now, you know the general success rate of IVF, the answer to the question of whether IVF is 100% successful, and some of the factors that affect the overall access rate; let’s now discuss some of the key reasons for IVF failures.This failure of IVF is attributed to many a factor. Identification of some of the main reasons is as follows:

1. Quality of Eggs

Poor quality of an egg is one of the major reasons for failures in IVF. Poor quality of an egg can interfere with the fertilization and embryo development process. This, in turn, leads to a lower success rate of IVF. The good news here is that you can mitigate this problem by maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

2. Oocytes Age

Another key factor that can lead to the failure of IVF is the age of women's eggs. As you may know, a woman is born with a predetermined set of eggs. These eggs age alongside the women, and they degrade over time. When the woman is above the age of 35, the quality of eggs starts to deteriorate. This further reduces the likelihood of reproductive success, including the success of IVF.

3. Poor Ovarian Response

Poor ovarian response, aside from the age of the egg, is one of the other important causes of IVF failure. When the ovary does not respond to injections and medications during an ovarian stimulation process, it can result in the failure of the IVF process.

4. Anomaly Of The Chromosomes

Besides the issues with the eggs and ovaries, sometimes there can also be issues with the chromosomes, which can result in the failure of the eggs. If the embryo has abnormal chromosomes, it can result in failure during pregnancy and conception. Another key aspect to note is that only 15% to 40% of the eggs are normal. Therefore, should an egg with abnormal chromosomes be selected during the IVF process, it can lead to failure. This problem can be solved by PGT, which ensures the oocytes chosen have no defect at the chromosomal level.

5. Lifestyle Choices

The other significant contributing factor to the general failure of the IVF process relates to lifestyle choices. Living to excess--heavy smoking, consumption of alcohol, and caffeine--bursts your eggs and sperm. Moreover, overindulgence in foods and drugs that are bad for your body bursts reproductive health. However, not all choices about lifestyle have to do with overindulgence. You can also develop problems with reproduction if one is not taking in necessary foods and remains underweight. All these aspects can further lead to the failure of IVF.

These are merely some of the key reasons for failure in IVF. Apart from these we have pointed out here, a couple more factors could be blamed for this, and again that depends upon your respective case conditions.

Success Rate Of IVF On First Try

Success Rate Of IVF On First Try

Now that you have a general idea regarding how IVF works, when it is recommended, factors affecting the success rates of IVF, and the reason for IVF failure, let’s now discuss the success rate of IVF on the first try. That said, you should note that there are many factors that affect the success rate of IVF on the first try. Some of these factors include: 

  • Embryo and Egg quality
  • Egg quantity 
  • Sperm quality and quantity
  • Stimulation protocols and ovulation
  • Uterine receptibility 

Besides these, the IVF center you visit also directly impacts its success rate on the first try. Keeping all of these factors into consideration, the success rate of IVF on the first try at Hardik IVF and Fertility Center is between 70% and 80%. That said, do note that this is the success rate at ideal conditions, given that you are under 35 years old. As your age increases, the success rate on the first try also decreases. Furthermore, you should also be mindful of the factors leading to the failure of IVF. 

The good news here is that as long as you are under 35 and have relatively decent reproductive health, you can enjoy over 70% success rate at Hardik. 

Learn more about: How to Prepare For IVF: Tips for a Successful IVF Journey

Conclusion

IVF is a revolutionary treatment when it comes to dealing with infertility. This treatment has a relatively high success rate and is also ideal for dealing with infertility with undetermined causes. That said, despite its high success rates, IVF is not 100% successful. There are many reasons why it may fail. Some of these reasons may include age and quality of the eggs, defects in chromosomes, and lifestyle choices. The good news here is that with a bit of preparation, you can bypass these reasons. 

In this blog, we discussed how IVF works, when it is recommended, some of the factors affecting IVF success rates, some reasons for its failure, and the success rate of IVF on its first try. We hope you found this helpful. If you seek further insights into the various aspects of IVF, do check out some of our other blogs. And if you want the best IVF service in Nepal, look no further than Hardik IVF and Fertility Center. Thank you for reading till the end. 

FAQs on Ivf Successful Treatment 

1. What is the highest success rate of IVF?

The highest success rate of IVF is between 70% and 80% during the first cycle of IVF under ideal circumstances. This essentially means that you should be under 35 years old and have decent physical and mental health to have this success rate. 

2. Does IVF have a 100% success rate?

Although the success rate of IVF is relatively high, it does not have a 100% success rate. The highest success rate you can get with IVF in Nepal is between 70% and 80% at Hardik IVF and Fertility Center. 

3. In which cases IVF is not successful?

There are many circumstances that can lead to the failure of IVF. Some of the key circumstances where IVF is not successful include:

  • When the quality of the eggs is subpar.
  • When the eggs are old.
  • When there is a lack of ovarian response during the stimulation process.
  • When there are defects in the chromosomes of male, female, or both of the parents.
  • When one or both members of the couple have an unhealthy lifestyle.
  • When there is overindulgence in smoke, caffeine, alcohol, and junk food.
  • When there is high mental stress.

4. How can IVF be successful the first time?

Although there is a certain chance of IVF failure, there are ways to increase the success rate of IVF in the first cycle. Some of these methods include: 

  • Choose a reputable IVF clinic with high success rates.
  • Maintain a healthy weight and balanced diet.
  • Avoid smoking, alcohol, and drugs.
  • Manage stress through relaxation techniques.
  • Ensure optimal hormonal balance.
  • Take prescribed fertility medications as directed.
  • Stay physically active but avoid intense exercise.
  • Follow your doctor's advice on supplements and vitamins.
  • Optimize sperm health if applicable.
  • Get enough rest and sleep throughout the process.

5. Is IVF more successful after having a baby naturally?

Yes, the chance of IVF is slightly higher if you are doing it after having a natural birth, as the previous birth signifies that you have relatively good reproductive health. That said, there are other factors, such as age and current fertility, that play a crucial role in determining the success rate of IVF. 

6. How successful is IVF on the first try?

The success rate of IVF on the first try is around 70% to 80% under ideal circumstances at Hardik IVF and Fertility Center. That said, there are many factors that affect the overall success rate of IVF, and this is just a rough estimation. 

7. How successful is IVF treatment?

At Hardik IVF and Fertility Center, IVF treatment can have a success rate of 70% to 80% on the first try in ideal conditions, though many factors can influence the outcome, making this an approximate figure.

8. Are IVF babies normal?

Yes, IVF babies are completely normal. Rather, they are more likely to have better health than natural-born babies since you can use treatments such as PGT to select the embryo without any form of chromosomal defects. 

9. What is the best age for IVF?

The best age for IVF is under 35, as you typically have higher egg quality and quantity during this time. Furthermore, the quality of sperm is also higher during this time for males. 

10. Why is IVF more successful the second time?

IVF is often more successful the second time because doctors can adjust treatment protocols based on insights from the first attempt, improving factors like medication dosage, embryo selection, or implantation techniques.