What’s next? Overcoming IVF failure
An unsuccessful IVF cycle can be heartbreaking. Our Las Vegas fertility center understands the depths of disappointment and feelings of frustration that hopeful parents experience with IVF failure.
While fertility treatment is full of unknowns, in cases of unsuccessful IVF, our capable and compassionate reproductive endocrinologists will diligently work to answer, “Why did my IVF fail?”
Complexities of unsuccessful IVF
IVF is a challenging process because of its complexity. Its success depends on multiple factors working together correctly, and there are several reasons why patients might experience IVF failure.
- Problems with egg quality and/or quantity, especially with age. A woman’s ovarian reserve can significantly affect the chances of successful fertilization and implantation. Age is a critical factor, resulting in decreasing quality and quantity of available eggs, especially after age 35.
- Problems with sperm. Male factor infertility also can play a role. Outcomes can be affected by abnormally shaped sperm, low concentration of sperm, lessened movement (motility) or DNA damage.
- Problems with hormones. The balancing act of hormones is delicate. For example, estrogen levels that are too high or too low, or heightened progesterone levels, can decrease the chances of successful IVF. Hormones also influence IVF during ovarian stimulation, which encourages follicular development before egg retrieval. Our Las Vegas fertility center carefully monitors this, and if ovaries overreact, we take prompt and appropriate action.
- Issues with the uterus. An embryo needs the right environment to successfully implant in the uterus. The uterine lining, or endometrium, must be thick enough to support implantation. If it’s too thin, implantation might not occur. Uterine fibroids, polyps or scar tissue are other obstacles that might result in IVF failure. An abnormally shaped uterus can also be a cause.
- Issues with the embryo. Even when fertilization is successful, there are times an embryo does not develop normally because of genetic or chromosomal issues. These issues can prevent successful implantation or lead to miscarriage.
Identifying the cause of unsuccessful IVF is the first step on the path to targeted fertility treatment.
Providing hope for overcoming IVF failure
Our Las Vegas fertility center proactively tries to minimize IVF issues with detailed testing and diagnostic work. We also have several advantages that may increase the chances of IVF success.
- Preimplantation genetic testing (PGT). This testing allows our Las Vegas fertility center to know that transferred embryos are chromosomally normal. If a known genetic condition is identified through carrier screening of both partners, we can also order a special type of genetic testing to ensure that the embryo transferred is free of that condition.
- Intracytoplasmic sperm injection. This advanced technique can overcome severe male infertility. An embryologist will use a tiny needle (micropipette) to inject a single sperm into the center of each egg.
- Experience matters. Our experienced reproductive endocrinologists, combined with our state-of-the-art lab partner, Ovation® Fertility, provide leading-edge IVF treatment in a carefully controlled setting.
While the process of IVF is well understood, the nuances of every IVF cycle are truly individual. Results can differ from cycle to cycle. We harbor hope because our Las Vegas fertility center is skilled in uncovering causes and overcoming IVF failure. Contact us to learn more.
