What are the Success Rates of IVF?

According to the Department of Health and Human Services, IVF accounted for over 99% of all ART cycles in the U.S. as of 2021, showing how it has become one of the leading treatment options for infertility. 

This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of IVF success rates, offering insights into what factors influence these outcomes and what individuals considering IVF can expect from the process.

A successful IVF cycle is typically defined as an embryo transfer that results in a live birth. The births can either be singleton births, where only one baby is born, or multiple gestational births, where twins, triplets, etc., are delivered, often due to the transfer of multiple embryos.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) clinic data summary, the embryo transfer success rate for IVF is 48.12%, based on 108,601 embryo transfers conducted in a year within the U.S. region. This means nearly half of all embryo transfers result in a live birth. Among these, 41.4% result in singleton births, as most intended parents may aim to reduce the risks associated with multiple gestation pregnancies.

However, it’s important to note that the percentage above is merely an average. The success rate of an IVF cycle depends on each individual, as it can vary significantly due to factors like the patient’s age, the quality of the eggs or embryos, whether or not PGT testing was performed, the expertise and knowledge of the medical team, and the specific treatment protocols used. Hence, modern fertility clinics will take a personalized medical approach for each patient to optimize the outcomes.

In this section, we will outline the in vitro fertilization success rates by age. This information is particularly relevant for patients who plan to use their own eggs, as the egg quantity and quality naturally decline with age.

The following table summarizes the IVF success rates according to different age groups:

The IVF success rates for women under 35 are the highest with 49% of the embryo transfers resulting in live births. Consequently, the women aged 35 to 37 experience a moderate decline to around 44%, while those aged 38 have approximately a 40% chance of success. Furthermore, the IVF success rates for women over 40 will drop more sharply to around 24%.

Some patients may choose to use donor eggs to increase egg transfer success rates, as donor eggs often come from younger individuals meticulously pre-screened by health professionals to improve the chances of implantation and live birth from IVF. 

This option is particularly beneficial in cases of premature ovarian failure, early menopause, genetic disorders, or any other reasons that may cause the patient to have a lack of healthy eggs.

If the patient does choose to use a donor egg, they will also have to decide whether to use fresh embryo transfer or frozen embryo transfer for the IVF process. Fresh embryo transfers involve fertilization and immediate embryo transfer following egg retrieval, while frozen embryo transfers allow embryos to be cryopreserved through advanced vitrification techniques for later use. 

Here’s a comparison of the success rates using donor eggs through fresh and frozen embryo transfers:

Both methods provide excellent success rates. The choice often depends on the patient’s circumstances. Some patients may opt for frozen embryo transfer as it offers more flexibility for their schedules and personal circumstances while allowing for PGT testing. If more time is needed until the patient’s uterine lining and hormonal environment are fit for implantation, the embryos will be kept safely through vitrification in a lab, allowing the patients more time to prepare the transfer cycle after egg retrieval. 

Next, we will explore the key factors affecting IVF success rates to help patients make informed decisions as they pursue this journey to parenthood.

As we’ve mentioned earlier, a woman’s age and IVF success rates are closely related, especially when they are using their own eggs for the treatment. A woman’s ovarian reserve will gradually diminish as they age and this decline usually becomes more noticeable after age 35, accelerating further when reaching beyond the age of 40.

A low ovarian reserve results in a lower quantity and quality of eggs, which means there are lower chances of producing viable embryos for successful implantation. Even if the embryos implant successfully, poor egg quality can still lead to embryos with chromosomal abnormalities which could potentially increase the risk of miscarriage or birth defects.

Specific infertility issues in both men and women can significantly influence IVF success rates. For women, common factors include uterine lining issues, such as thin endometrial lining or uterine fibroids, which can hinder embryo implantation. Ovulatory disorders like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis can also reduce success rates as these medical conditions usually affect egg quality.

For men, low sperm count, poor sperm motility, or abnormal morphology can impact fertilization success. In some cases, male factor infertility may require additional interventions like intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) to improve outcomes.

In such cases, patients should consult with their fertility specialists to evaluate their health condition and determine the most effective approach for IVF treatments.

Patients may require multiple IVF cycles to achieve a successful pregnancy depending on factors like individual health conditions, egg quality, and embryo viability. 

In some cases, multiple retrieval cycles are necessary to obtain eggs and create a healthy, viable embryo. Similarly, multiple transfer cycles may be required to achieve implantation and sustain a pregnancy. 

For instance, most patients may need two to three embryo transfer cycles to conceive, while some may need more. Nevertheless, it’s essential to approach IVF with patience and consult your doctor as the treatment progresses, as it won’t necessarily be successful on the first try.

Studies in the journal Fertility and Sterility have shown that individuals who have successfully conceived with their current partner in the past are more likely to achieve conception through IVF. This history suggests that the uterine environment and sperm compatibility may be favorable.

On the other hand, a history of repeated miscarriage or pregnancy complications could imply lower IVF success rates, as this may indicate uterine abnormalities, hormonal imbalances, or genetic issues. This is why fertility specialists will carefully assess reproductive history to tailor treatment strategies and improve the chances of a successful pregnancy. Some patients also consider gestational surrogacy as a solution to minimize these risks.

Research published in Reproductive BioMedicine has shown that lifestyle factors can significantly impact IVF success rates. Smoking, in particular, can negatively affect egg and sperm quality, as well as reduce blood flow to the uterus, hindering implantation.

Additionally, both underweight and overweight individuals may experience reduced IVF success rates due to hormone imbalance and reduced egg quality.

Choosing a clinic with a proven track record, modern protocols, and an experienced medical team can significantly improve the likelihood of a successful IVF cycle. Experienced clinics offer comprehensive health evaluations to assess intended parents for a detailed understanding of underlying conditions. This personalized approach enables specialists to recommend customized treatment plans, with optimal hormone medication dosage, egg retrieval timing, and embryo transfer procedures to improve outcomes.

It is also important to choose a clinic with skilled IVF laboratory capabilities. Advanced IVF labs with experienced embryologists and state-of-the-art technology ensure precise embryo handling, monitoring, and culturing. In turn, this provides a better condition to improve embryo quality for IVF treatments. 

While there's no guaranteed way to improve IVF success rates, adopting a healthy lifestyle and following your doctor's advice can significantly enhance your chances. Here are some tips to consider:

Embark on your journey to parenthood with Labryo Fertility Center, a leading fertility clinic dedicated to providing high-quality, personalized fertility treatments. 

With a team of experienced specialists, we offer comprehensive services to support you from the initial consultation to IVF procedures, and every step will be carefully tailored to meet your unique circumstances. 

At Labryo Fertility Center, our state-of-the-art IVF lab is equipped with the latest technology to ensure optimal embryo development. Plus, our skilled embryologists will meticulously monitor every stage of the process, helping you achieve high-quality outcomes during treatment.

Moreover, Labryo Fertility Center offers transparent and affordable pricing options, with packages that cover essential IVF costs for egg retrieval, sperm preparation, embryo culture, and embryo transfer, without any hidden costs. We’ve also partnered with Future Family to provide personalized loans, making IVF treatments more accessible to a wider range of patients.

Want to learn more? Visit our IVF page for more details or contact us today to schedule a consultation. We will make sure you receive the best possible care throughout the entire process.