IVF is one of the most successful assisted reproductive methods for helping couples overcome infertility and become parents. You go to an IVF clinic to seek the best and most successful treatment. But at times, you don’t obtain what you expected from an IVF procedure because of some circumstances, most likely your medical history. But, it is important to know that there is no need to be concerned about your unsuccessful IVF procedure because you still have hope and possibilities of getting pregnant after a failed IVF.
What causes a failed IVF?
A failed IVF can result in the following circumstances:
Failure of embryo implantation: One of the leading causes of IVF failure is the failure to implant embryos into the uterine lining. The failure of the effort can occur for one of two reasons: an issue with the embryo or a problem with the uterus.
Egg Quality: Embryo implantation is 50% successful in women under the age of 35 and just 12% successful in women over the age of 40. If a woman has a healthy uterus but the quality of her egg is poor, IVF with donor eggs is the best option. Conceiving problems in elderly women are primarily related to low-quality eggs, not the uterus.
Ovarian response and female age: When it comes to the success of IVF, the age, condition of the uterus, and how it responds to IVF medications are crucial. An ovary normally releases an egg every month, but this reduces as a woman reaches her mid-30s. Before beginning the IVF cycle, medicines are used to stimulate the ovary to generate more eggs. If the woman already has a decrease in the number of eggs or a low FSH level, the odds of her IVF medicines working are low.
Sperm Quality: The sperm must be motile, readily available, and of high quality. The term “motility of the sperm” refers to the ability of the sperm tail to drive itself into the female’s egg. The quality of the sperm can usually be determined prior to the IVF treatment via sperm analysis. If they discover problems, the couple can avail ICSI, IVF or sperm donors.
Genetic and Chromosomal Factors: Chromosomal disorders are the most common causes of IVF failure. Women over the age of 40 who undergo IVF are more likely to have lower quality eggs that are chromosomally defective, resulting in a reduced success rate for the operation. The sperm contains considerably more defects than the female egg, which may be one of the reasons for IVF failure as well.
Egg/ embryo retrieval and embryo transfer issues: The surgical process of egg extraction and embryo transfer plays a significant role in determining the effectiveness of the IVF treatment. The retrieval of fewer or no eggs can result in the failure of the entire operation.
The procedure of selecting chromosomally normal embryos from chromosomally defective embryos is extremely difficult. The embryologist’s experience and techniques must be heavily relied on for the IVF treatment to be successful.
The transferred embryo must be retained in the proper position for the IVF cycle to be effective. An unsuccessful attempt can result in failure and reduce the odds of a successful conception.
Steps to take after a failed IVF
Fertility experts and consultants at Progenesis recommend taking the following steps if you have suffered a failed IVF:
Step 1. Understand why your IVF treatment failed
Several factors influence the success of IVF treatment. Your physical, mental, or medical conditions may cause your IVF treatment to fail. You may experience IVF failures as a result of:
- Your age
- Medical history in the family
- Your male partner’s sperm count being low.
- Unsuitable egg quality
Step 2. Take a break
A failed IVF treatment is an extremely challenging time for you and your partner. First and foremost, you should take a break and communicate with your family members, friends, and relatives to divert your mind from the treatment that you are receiving. This will assist you in dealing with the situation at hand. You may easily overcome your physical, medical, and psychological pressures/issues.
Step 3. Speak with your doctor again to determine what you should do next
You should see a reputed doctor for a better and more positive outcome on your next attempt. He is the best person to tell you exactly what medical concerns you have, what alternatives you have right now, and what you’re supposed to do in the next IVF round. The doctor may request a few more checkups in order to provide the finest advice and ensure your success.
Step 4. Avoid rushing
When your IVF treatment fails, you are going through an extremely tough moment. You may be out of options at this point, and you may not have any hope left. Some of you may run after advice from family members, friends, relatives, and other known people. You should be more cautious and stick to the advice recommended by your doctor only.
Step 5. Be prepared to consider other options
Negative feelings or ideas are harmful to you and your IVF treatment process. However, if you experience another failure, you must be prepared to pursue other possibilities. To be certain about your options, consult with your doctor and other fertility specialists.
How to get pregnant after failed IVF?
Your doctor may recommend the following based on your medical condition:
Another IVF attempt
A person may need more than one IVF treatment attempt to become pregnant. Before proceeding with the second round of therapy, the doctor may order several tests for you and your partner to rule out any conditions that could interfere with the fertility treatment. They may also advise you to make lifestyle adjustments that will boost your chances of getting pregnant.
Third-party donor
If the couple attempting to conceive has an issue with their eggs or sperm, the doctor may advise them to use a third-party egg/sperm donor.
It is usually advised for women who have insufficient or non-viable eggs. Third-party egg donors are often under 30 years old and have healthy eggs.
Natural pregnancy after failed IVF
Failed IVF procedures might sometimes enhance a couple’s chances of conceiving naturally. IVF treatments can assist in identifying and addressing reproductive difficulties, making it easier for couples to conceive naturally later on. IVF helps with the following:
- Detection of underlying fertility problems
- Taking care of hormonal imbalances
- Improving the Egg and Sperm Quality
FAQ’s
When will I get period after failed IVF?
Menstruation typically begins 3-14 days following embryo transplanting (this usually occurs 3-5 days after the supportive medicine is finished). A medical consultation is required if this does not occur.
What happens to your body after failed IVF?
After a failed IVF round, your body goes through physical and mental changes. Physically, your hormone levels may need time to adjust. This results in a withdrawal bleed or a period similar to a typical menstrual cycle.
Why is second IVF more successful?
The chances of conceiving with frozen embryos in your second IVF treatment are substantially higher than with fresh embryos. This is because the quality of eggs and sperm deteriorates with age, lowering the quality of your embryo significantly. A high-quality embryo is critical for IVF success.
How many rounds of IVF is normal?
The answer is not simple and varies depending on the infertility diagnosis. However, no more than three to four IVF cycles are recommended by specialists.
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