IVF, standing for in vitro (glass) fertilization, is the term given for adding the man's sperm to the woman's egg in a laboratory setting, rather than through natural process. Often couples who cannot conceive choose this path when they still wish to have children, which may be due to quality or quantity of sperm, or tube blocking or cervical issues in the woman. IVF success rates can depend on many factors.
The most common point of IVF for a woman is her age. Effectiveness of treatment generally decreases as age increases, however it is difficult to get exact statistics on the matter. For women under 35, IVF is approximately 33% successful, and for women over the age of 44 it is typically under 5%. These percentages seem to be on the rise as technology develops year by year.
The physician administering the IVF treatment can also be a factor, as clinical pregnancy rates are able to vary between doctors in the same center, from 8% up to 40%. This may say more about different physicians appealing to different age bands of patients, but it is also possible that it is a reflection of their skill and ability. Smaller centers tend to be slightly less successful than large ones.
Cancellation of the process is also factored in, as around 12% of IVF cycles are cancelled before the egg is collected. The most common causes for this are poor (or no) egg production (83%), or the patient having personal reasons to discontinue (10%). This is more likely as patient age increases, suggesting age correlates with lessened egg production. For women under 35 this is estimated at around 9%, whilst women over 40 are at around 42%.
It is likely that the couple has a problem with fertility when they seek IVF, and in some cases both the man and woman have issues. Donor sperm and eggs are available and can be more effective with a higher success rate than those using their own sperm and eggs. For donor eggs there is around a 40% overall delivery rate per transfer, against 30% non-donor. Transfer is the term used for replacing an embryo.
A higher transfer number can induce a higher chance of a live baby. One transfer has a low rate, as well as a low risk of multiple pregnancies. Three has a much higher chance of both. In the UK, only women over 40 can have a third transfer. Some evidence is present which suggests replacing two embryos is just as effective as three, however does not carry the same risk of multiple pregnancies.
A couple who have been infertile for longer also have less chance of success. Those who had been infertile for only a few years prior have around a 20% of a live birth baby, whereas over 12 years drops this to 11%. The cause can also be a factor in this, as tubular problems and endometriosis are more problematic than any problems with fertility the male may have.
Women who have been pregnant before are more likely to have a live birth, and those who have had successful IVF before have an even higher chance. Lifestyle, such as being overweight, can reduce the chance of successful treatment, and behavior such as smoking can reduce the chance of pregnancy. It is also possible that race has an influence on IVF success rates, based on fat distribution and vulnerability to disease.
The most common point of IVF for a woman is her age. Effectiveness of treatment generally decreases as age increases, however it is difficult to get exact statistics on the matter. For women under 35, IVF is approximately 33% successful, and for women over the age of 44 it is typically under 5%. These percentages seem to be on the rise as technology develops year by year.
The physician administering the IVF treatment can also be a factor, as clinical pregnancy rates are able to vary between doctors in the same center, from 8% up to 40%. This may say more about different physicians appealing to different age bands of patients, but it is also possible that it is a reflection of their skill and ability. Smaller centers tend to be slightly less successful than large ones.
Cancellation of the process is also factored in, as around 12% of IVF cycles are cancelled before the egg is collected. The most common causes for this are poor (or no) egg production (83%), or the patient having personal reasons to discontinue (10%). This is more likely as patient age increases, suggesting age correlates with lessened egg production. For women under 35 this is estimated at around 9%, whilst women over 40 are at around 42%.
It is likely that the couple has a problem with fertility when they seek IVF, and in some cases both the man and woman have issues. Donor sperm and eggs are available and can be more effective with a higher success rate than those using their own sperm and eggs. For donor eggs there is around a 40% overall delivery rate per transfer, against 30% non-donor. Transfer is the term used for replacing an embryo.
A higher transfer number can induce a higher chance of a live baby. One transfer has a low rate, as well as a low risk of multiple pregnancies. Three has a much higher chance of both. In the UK, only women over 40 can have a third transfer. Some evidence is present which suggests replacing two embryos is just as effective as three, however does not carry the same risk of multiple pregnancies.
A couple who have been infertile for longer also have less chance of success. Those who had been infertile for only a few years prior have around a 20% of a live birth baby, whereas over 12 years drops this to 11%. The cause can also be a factor in this, as tubular problems and endometriosis are more problematic than any problems with fertility the male may have.
Women who have been pregnant before are more likely to have a live birth, and those who have had successful IVF before have an even higher chance. Lifestyle, such as being overweight, can reduce the chance of successful treatment, and behavior such as smoking can reduce the chance of pregnancy. It is also possible that race has an influence on IVF success rates, based on fat distribution and vulnerability to disease.
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