Eight Reasons for IVF Failure
The success of In Vitro Fertilization depends on a combination of a lot of factors, including biological, genetic and environmental factors. The fertility profiles of different couples are different, and so the outcome of IVF procedures also varies accordingly.
What are the possible reasons behind IVF failure?
There can be several reasons behind IVF failure, including:
1. Poor egg and/or sperm quality
Due to age, metabolic issues or decreased ovarian reserve, if the quality of eggs has reduced, they may not get fertilised properly or develop into healthy embryos. Similarly, poor sperm motility, DNA fragmentation or morphed sperms can prevent fertilization and obstruct the early development of the embryo
2. Poor quality embryo
The quality of both egg and sperm, along with lab culture conditions, influences the health of the embryo. Genetic issues like chromosomal abnormalities, irregular morphology or slow cell division in the embryo can also lead to pregnancy failure.
3. Implantation failure
Sometimes, even a healthy embryo might fail to attach to the uterine lining due to issues like thin endometrium, uterine infections, inadequate blood flow to the uterus, polyps, fibroids, endometrial receptivity issues, etc.
4. Genetic factor
Chromosomal translocations, single gene disorders, aneuploidies or any other inherited genetic abnormalities in either partner can prevent normal development of the embryo. Pre-implantation Genetic Testing (PGT) can lead to early detection of such issues, but certain mutations can still go undetected, leading to IVF failure.
5. Hormonal imbalances
For a successful IVF procedure, all pregnancy hormones in the mother, including LH, FSH, and thyroid hormones, need to be well-balanced. PCOS disorder, luteal phase defect, poor ovarian stimulation response, thyroid disorders, etc, can affect the maturation of the egg or the receptivity of the endometrium.
6. Immunological factors
Increased Natural Killer (NK) cell activity, abnormal cytokine levels, autoimmune disorders and other hyperactive immune responses can lead the female body to reject the embryo.
7. Lifestyle factor
Poor lifestyle habits like smoking, alcohol, excessive caffeine, obesity, chronic stress, excessive caffeine intake, poor sleep and lack of daily movement can negatively impact IVF success.
8. Lab-related technical issues
Suboptimal culture media, fluctuations in temperature or pH, equipment failure, poor handling technique, inexperienced staff and other technical issues in the lab will lead to IVF failure since it heavily relies on lab practices. Even minor deviations can affect fertilization or development.
How to improve IVF success?
- Go only for high-quality, accredited IVF centres with a good reputation for the best reproductive assistance
- Undergo complete fertility evaluation, including hormonal profiling, semen analysis, AMH, thyroid tests and uterine assessment
- Improve both egg and sperm quality by consuming supplements like folic acid, CoQ10, vitamin D and other antioxidant-rich food items.
- Make major improvements in lifestyle, including having a proper sleep cycle, maintaining a healthy BMI, following a fertility-focused diet, reducing stress levels and quitting alcohol, smoking and excessive caffeine intake.
- Consider PGT (Preimplantation Genetic Testing) for early detection of possible genetic risks
- Strictly follow all medication and stimulation protocols during the cycle.
As per NIH, around 50% of embryo transfers fail due to chromosomal disorders. If you are struggling with repeated failures in the IVF procedure, Dr Riddhi Doshi can assist in the successful detection of the underlying reason and in creating a suitable treatment plan.