In vitro fertilization, or IVF, is a prominent procedure that helps couples achieve their dreams of being parents. Some people who undergo this procedure are unable to get pregnant. Below are some common causes of IVF failure:
Embryo Implantation
The failure of the embryo to implant on the uterine wall may be due to a problem with the uterus or the embryo. Uterine polyps, uterine infection, a thin endometrial lining, or a sudden rise in progesterone levels may cause failure in implantation.
Most specialists believe 90 percent of IVF failures may be due to problems with the embryo. Some embryos produced in IVF procedures last only a few days; even healthy ones may die several days after being transferred to the uterus. Embryo problems could be due to genetics, or the embryo may not have enough cells to grow.
Female Age
As a woman grows older, the quality and quantity of her eggs decrease. A doctor may introduce medication to the uterus to boost the eggs produced. If the body response is positive, the woman may succeed in IVF treatment. The doctor may recommend a fertility test to decide the best treatment approach.
Quality of sperm
For IVF to be successful, the sperm should be motile, healthy, and in good quantity. Sperm and eggs have surface receptors that allow them to interact during fertilization. The sperm should be able to propel to the egg tract, break the membrane, and fuse with the egg. The quality and quantity problems of sperm can be detected during semen analysis, and patients may be given the option of IVF with donor sperm or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).
Chromosomal Abnormalities
IVF can be affected by poor fetus quality and chromosomal abnormalities. Problems with chromosomal genetics may weaken the fetus, making it difficult to implant. Older women have a higher chance of chromosomal abnormalities. Older eggs may have weak spindle apparatus, where pairs of chromosomes are not properly split.
Couples can request preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) to reduce the chances of IVF failure. PGT technology screens embryo cells and helps to choose the best ones for the IVF procedure.
Embryo Quality
The IVF procedure involves the fusion of sperm and eggs to produce a healthy embryo. Embryos may appear healthy in the lab but fail to implant into the uterus due to invisible defects. IVF labs may use a scoring system to grade the quality of the embryos to put into the uterus.
Doctors may also use an embryoscope, a closed incubator with inside cameras, to take embryo pictures while leaving them in a stable environment. This gives a video assessment of embryo development and a chance to choose a suitable embryo to achieve pregnancy.
Ovarian Response
At the beginning of the IVF treatment, the patient may need to administer a daily follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) injection. This can help increase the number of eggs the body produces. Some ovaries do not respond positively to the FSH medication and fail to produce eggs needed for collection. Lack of ovarian response is more prominent in older women because of their low ovarian reserve.
Investigation and alteration of the medication may be done to amend the situation. The ovarian reserve assessment may be done through an ultrasound to assess the antral follicle count or a blood test for anti-mullerian hormone (AMH). The ovarian reserve may determine the protocol and dose of hormones required to produce eggs for IVF collection.
Lifestyle Factors
A healthy lifestyle before and during IVF treatment can increase the chances of success. Lifestyle factors such as smoking, stress, drinking alcohol, low weight, and being overweight may harm fertility. Patients may need to modify their lifestyle before the IVF cycle. A balanced diet, proper sleep, exercise, and quitting alcohol and smoking may positively impact fertility and IVF success.
Reducing the Risk of IVF Failure
An average patient may need multiple IVF treatment sessions for a successful outcome. With each cycle, the doctor may determine what caused the IVF failure and use this information to improve the chances of conception if one undergoes the procedure again.
