What is IVF?

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a fertility treatment in which eggs are grown via fertility drugs then extracted during an egg retrieval. Sperm is then mixed with the eggs and after growing to day 3 or day 5, one or two embryos are placed back into the woman’s uterus via egg transfer. If any embryos remain, they are cryopreserved until frozen embryo transfer (FET) can take place.

IVF is used for a variety of infertility cases, such as:

Fallopian tube issues or removal
Severe male factor infertility
Couples with genetic disorders
Women with egg or ovulation disorders
Unexplained infertility
Previously failed fertility treatments[1]

IVF Success Rates

It is important to note that while IVF is a common treatment nowadays, it is not a guaranteed success. One study found that rates were 36% and 55% for two “extreme” fertility centers.[2] In the US, 36% of IVF cycles achieve a pregnancy, with less than 30% having a live birth.[3]

These numbers drop significantly when the woman is over 37 years old. Even in failures, the chance of conception increases after each cycle. 3 cycles have a 52% chance, and 6 cycles have a 72% chance. This indicates that you may need more than one cycle to have a child.[4]

Several factors can give a glimpse into IVF success, including body mass index (BMI), age, smoking and diseases such as severe endometriosis. Lifestyle changes may help in some of these instances (such as BMI or smoking.)[5][6][7]

Talk to your reproductive endocrinologist (RE) to see what course of action is right for your case. For more information on the IVF process, please continue onto the next page.

[1] “In Vitro Fertilization (IVF): What Is It?” 2017. American Pregnancy Association. 2017. http://americanpregnancy.org/infertility/in-vitro-fertilization/.

[2] Lintsen, A.M.E., D.D.M. Braat, J.D.F. Habbema, J.A.M. Kremer, and M.J.C. Eijkemans. 2010. “Can Differences in IVF Success Rates between Centres Be Explained by Patient Characteristics and Sample Size?” Human Reproduction 25 (1). Oxford University Press: 110–17. https://doi.org/10.1093/humrep/dep358.

[3] Kincaid, Ellie. 2015. “The Success Rates of ‘Test Tube Babies’ Are Nowhere Near What People Think.” Business Insider. 2015. http://www.businessinsider.com/in-vitro-fertilization-ivf-success-rates-2015-5.

[4] Gnoth, C., B. Maxrath, T. Skonieczny, K. Friol, E. Godehardt, and J. Tigges. 2011. “Final ART Success Rates: A 10 Years Survey.” Human Reproduction 26 (8). Oxford University Press: 2239–46. https://doi.org/10.1093/humrep/der178

[5] Sneed, M. L., M. L. Uhler, H. E. Grotjan, J. J. Rapisarda, K. J. Lederer, and A. N. Beltsos. 2008. “Body Mass Index: Impact on IVF Success Appears Age-Related.” Human Reproduction 23 (8). Oxford University Press: 1835–39. https://doi.org/10.1093/humrep/den188.

[6] Garrido, Nicolás, José Bellver, José Remohí, Carlos Simón, and Antonio Pellicer. 2011. “Cumulative Live-Birth Rates per Total Number of Embryos Needed to Reach Newborn in Consecutive in Vitro Fertilization (IVF) Cycles: A New Approach to Measuring the Likelihood of IVF Success.” Fertility and Sterility 96 (1). Elsevier: 40–46. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2011.05.008.

[7] Lintsen, A.M.E., P.C.M. Pasker-de Jong, E.J. de Boer, C.W. Burger, C.A.M. Jansen, D.D.M. Braat, and F.E. van Leeuwen. 2005. “Effects of Subfertility Cause, Smoking and Body Weight on the Success Rate of IVF.” Human Reproduction 20 (7). Oxford University Press: 1867–75. https://doi.org/10.1093/humrep/deh898.