Dr. Aruna Ashok MBBS, MS OG, DNB OG
- Clinical Director
Aruna Ashok | 08 July 2023
Couples undergoing fertility treatments like in vitro fertilisation (IVF) can be curious to know its success rates. The success rates of the procedure are influenced basically by factors like the female partner’s age and the cause of infertility.
The embryo transfer success rate is generally higher for women below the age of 30 than for women over the age of 35.
Recent studies have shown that maternal age is the crucial factor that impacts the number and quality of eggs. This may certainly affect the success rates of IVF treatment directly. On the other hand, the underlying cause of infertility also plays a crucial role when it comes to determining success rates. However, even with some conditions, the IVF treatment can be more responsive than others.
The increasing maternal age may certainly decrease the IVF success rates. However, the success rates can be increased by attempting multiple IVF cycles.
The following is a detailed explanation of the role of age that affects IVF success rates.
Experts have noticed that women below the age of 30 years have exhibited better success rates during IVF treatment. The rates can vary anywhere between 50% and 60% per attempt. This is because of their enhanced number and quality of eggs.
Experts have noticed that women between 30 and 35 years have exhibited moderate success rates during IVF treatment. The rates can vary anywhere between 40% and 50% per attempt. However, it is essential to understand that during this period women started to decline their egg quality and quantity.
Experts have noticed that women between 35 and 40 years old have exhibited lower success rates during IVF treatment. The rates can vary anywhere between 25% and 35% per attempt. This is primarily because of the decline in the quantity and quality of eggs available, which is known as diminished ovarian reserve. Hence, the success rates from the IVF treatment may also deteriorate significantly.
A woman above 40 years old may exhibit a definite drop in success rates with IVF. The rates can vary anywhere between 10% and 20% per attempt. Furthermore, there's an increased risk of developing miscarriage in older women. This happens because of the significant fall in the ovarian reserve.
The number of embryos transferred during IVF treatment may indeed influence its success rates.
Experts claim that transferring multiple embryos does not always have a higher chance of success rates. Instead, transferring multiple embryos may contribute to the development of both the chances of pregnancy and the risks associated with it. The risks may include multiple pregnancies, low birth weight, gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and preterm labour. Hence, fertility experts at A4 Fertility Centre emphasize that achieving conception is important, but achieving a healthy conception is the ultimate goal.
It is essential to understand that the suggestion from the healthcare provider to transfer single or multiple embryos can be based on several factors. They may include maternal age, embryo quality, previous IVF history, and clinic recommendations. Clinic recommendation is nothing but the protocol or guideline that every fertility clinic has regarding embryo transfer.
Single embryo transfer (SET) is the technique used by fertility experts during IVF or ICSI. It involves injecting a single embryo inside the uterus of the female partner. This approach aims to minimize the risk of multiple pregnancies like twins or triplets, while maintaining good success rates. The method has been recommended by many fertility experts to reduce the complications associated with multiple pregnancies. The complications may include multiple pregnancies, low birth weight, gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and preterm labour.
Multiple Embryo Transfer (MET) is the technique used by fertility experts during IVF treatment. The procedure is aimed at increasing the chances of successful pregnancy, especially in women aged over 35. Even though the method increases the chances of successful pregnancy, it may also increase the risks that are associated with multiple pregnancies.
Embryo attrition is the natural and unavoidable loss of embryos during the IVF process. It is essential to understand that not all fertilized eggs can develop into blastocysts. Blastocyst is the next stage of fertilized eggs, which are typically placed inside the uterus for implantation. Though the unhealthy fertilized eggs may have stopped developing at the early stage, the healthy ones may reach the blastocyst stage. Hence, the number of embryos finally available for transfer is reduced than the number of fertilized eggs or eggs retrieved.
Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is a fertility approach utilized in IVF treatment. The technique is executed by fertilizing a single, healthy sperm with a healthy egg in the lab dish. When done, it (blastocyst) is placed inside the uterus. The method is often suggested by fertility experts when the male partner has sperm disorders. The disorders may include problems with sperm motility, poor sperm quality, and low sperm count. The approach is aimed at developing a single healthy embryo.
Donor egg IVF may exhibit an increased success rate than the procedure that uses a woman’s own eggs. This is possible as the eggs retrieved from the donor may certainly be healthy ones. The number of embryos transferred during the treatment also impacts success rates.
The following are some of the factors that affect IVF success rates.
Maternal age is a significant indicator of IVF success rates. This is because of the deteriorating egg quality and number as women age.
The underlying cause of infertility can indeed affect IVF outcomes. Studies have shown that IVF treatment can be less responsible for certain medical conditions. While with other conditions like PCOS and endometriosis, the technique can be more responsive.
Women with a high-quality embryo can certainly have better chances of successful fertilization and implantation. Factors such as the development and morphology of an embryo may influence both its ability to implant successfully in the uterus and its overall quality.
Every clinic has its own protocols and guidelines when it comes to fertility treatment. These variations may significantly arise from the clinic’s experience, the expertise of its physicians, and the techniques and approaches they use. All these factors may have the primary influence on the success rates of fertility treatments like IVF.
The increasing number of IVF attempts may certainly enhance the success rates. This happens as with every cycle, the physician may have better insights and additional data on the couple’s response towards the treatment. This may indeed help the physician to refine the treatment plan better. Hence, the chances of achieving a successful pregnancy are much higher than a single attempt.
Lifestyle factors like diet, stress management, physical activity, and substance use may significantly affect overall health. In addition, other factors like environmental conditions and socioeconomic status may also impact the success rates of fertility treatments.
IVF Success rates may significantly vary depending on the maternal age. With younger women, the chances of a successful and healthy pregnancy are much higher than older women. The live birth rates may also certainly vary depending on the age. This means, that as women age, the live birth rates also tend to decrease.
No matter what the age is, having a consultation with a fertility specialist can help you navigate through infertility challenges. They can address issues more appropriately with personalized guidance and enhance fertility to achieve pregnancy.
1. Does the fertility decline as a man age similar to a woman?
The answer to the question is yes. Similar to women, men also experience a decline in their fertility as they age. However, the process happens more gradually and is less dramatic in women with menopause. Men may experience a decline in their sperm quality, motility, and quantity with age. This may significantly impact the chances of conception.
2. Can I increase the egg count before IVF naturally?
The answer to the question is no. While it’s not possible to increase the egg count naturally, you can increase the quality of eggs. Quality eggs can be typically beneficial for fertility treatments like IVF. The quality of the eggs can be increased through a healthy lifestyle, a balanced diet, stress management, regular exercise, and avoiding harmful substances.
3. How can I improve the success rates of my IVF?
You can increase the success rates of IVF treatment by choosing a reputable fertility clinic like A4 Fertility Centre. You can also improve your chances by following a healthy lifestyle, a balanced diet, stress management, regular exercise, and avoiding harmful substances.
4. If I am over 35 and my partner’s sperm is of good quality, can I achieve pregnancy on the first attempt?
While having good sperm quality is a positive factor, the possibility of achieving pregnancy might be minimized with a woman over 35 years of age, especially on the first attempt.
5. Is there an optimal time for egg retrieval?
The answer to the question is yes. The optimal time for egg retrieval may typically be around 34 to 36 hours after the trigger shot. The trigger shot is the booster that contains hormones like Lupron, hCG or sometimes both. These shots are helpful in stimulating the final maturation of the eggs. The retrieval is scheduled to collect the eggs before they are ovulated.
