No matter how long you have been waiting to become a parent, in-vitro fertilization (IVF) failure could make you feel any number of emotions. Understanding why IVF fails is important because it can clarify on your options moving forward.
Whether you need support in determining what’s best for your situation, or you know how you want to proceed after learning the cause of your IVF failure, we’re here for you. Fill out our online contact form to get the support you deserve for taking the steps toward parenthood.
This article will break down the possible causes of recurrent IVF failure, how each cause affects the IVF process and your next steps.
Why Does IVF Fail? [8 Causes]
There is no surefire way to make assisted reproductive technology effective 100% of the time. But no matter the reason for your IVF failure, finding out why helps your medical team adjust your treatment plan for a better outcome.
A failed IVF cycle doesn’t mean it can’t work, about 20% of those who have had a failed IVF cycle become pregnant within five years.
There are various potential reasons for why IVF fails, here’s a look at seven of the most common causes:
1. Issues with the Ovarian Stimulation Process
This reason why IVF fails can be a result of your body’s response to the fertility drugs that help stimulate follicle growth. Without enough follicles, egg retrieval can be difficult or not possible without enough quality eggs to retrieve.
If your ovaries don’t respond to the fertility drugs, resulting in few developed follicles, your doctor may recommend canceling the IVF cycle.
2. Diminished Ovarian Reserve [DOR]
Egg quality is a big factor when it comes to creating an embryo which is why your doctor may recommend postponing or canceling your IVF cycle if you have a diminished ovarian reserve, which can be another reason for repeated IVF failure.
A diminished ovarian reserve can happen when your ovaries:
Lose their reproductive ability Are not producing enough eggs
Just because you have a diminished ovarian reserve doesn’t necessarily mean you don’t have enough eggs, but the eggs may be too low in quality to be transferred.
3. Age
Age is a common cause of IVF failure, as it significantly affects both the quality and quantity of eggs. As you get older, the number of viable eggs decreases, making it harder to achieve a successful pregnancy through IVF.
When comparing success rates, women under the age of 35 have success rates as high as 40% while failed IVF after 40 is 25%.
4. Embryo Quality and Chromosomal Abnormalities
If the quality of an egg is poor then the embryo likely will be too and is one of the main reasons why IVF fails.
Low-quality eggs usually don’t fully develop, there’s a three-day window for most labs where an embryo will be discarded if it doesn’t have a regular shape or reached the six to eight cell stage.
Embryo quality refers to the development of the egg, but chromosomal abnormalities can play a part too.
An embryo could have the right shape and cell number by the third day, but the abnormalities can increase the risk of a miscarriage which is another cause of IVF failure.
5. Endometriosis and Other Uterine Abnormalities
Implantation can fail to occur, and be a reason for your IVF failure, as a result of an endometrium that is less than seven millimeters thick. The endometrium is the tissue the lines your uterus and where the embryo implants.
Endometriosis and IVF failure happens in about 10% of women between the ages of 15 and 44. Endometriosis sees the endometrial tissue grow outside of the uterus.
Every menstrual cycle, your body grows a new endometrium, but endometriosis means that tissue does not shed like it would with healthy endometrial tissue during a normal menstrual cycle.
The tissue buildup can leads to inflammation, scarring and cysts.
6. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome [PCOS]
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, or PCOS, and IVF failure happen as a result of a hormonal condition that impacts your reproductive system.
PCOS can impact infertility because of its effect on:
- Hormone imbalances
- Ovulation issues
- Egg quality
- Insulin resistance
PCOS and IVF failure are common because it directly impacts some of the hormones used in IVF, both artificially and naturally.
7. Recurrent Implantation Failure [RIF]
Recurrent implantation failure occurs with women under the age of 40 with three IVF failures with quality embryos.
Causes of recurrent IVF failure include:
- Age
- Increased body weight
- Stress
- Smoking status
- And more
8. Unexplained Infertility and Failed IVF
Sometimes there may not be any specific reasons for a failed IVF transfer. But that doesn’t mean IVF can’t work for you.
Although rare during IVF, one example of a reason for your unexplained fertility could be ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS).
OHSS happens as a result of excess hormones and fertility treatments typically include hormones when stimulating egg development. This can lead to swelling in your ovaries.
Why Does IVF Fail with Good Embryos?
IVF with good embryos doesn’t necessarily result in a pregnancy. IVF success is determined by a number of factors from age to uterine health.
If factors such as these prevent IVF from working for you, surrogacy gives you a path to parenthood while maintaining a genetic connection to your child.
Some of the common reasons for repeated IVF failure with good embryos are:
- Implantation issues
- Genetic abnormalities
- Immune system responses
- Hormonal imbalances
- Stress and lifestyle factors
Why Does Donor Egg IVF Fail?
Similar to how surrogacy can bypass some of the factors that can result in why IVF fails, egg donation is another viable option for you to become a parent.
Although it’s a viable option, like your other assisted reproductive technologies, it doesn’t have a 100% success rate.
Even with donor eggs, not all embryos develop normally. Genetic abnormalities can prevent implantation or lead to miscarriage. A recipient's uterus may have problems like fibroids, polyps, or scarring that affect the embryo’s ability to implant and grow. Some women’s immune systems might mistakenly attack the embryo, preventing successful implantation. If hormone levels are irregular, the uterine lining may not be thick enough to support implantation. After 35, age can affect how well the embryo implants and grows, even with a high-quality donor egg.Common Causes of Donor Egg IVF Failure
While donor egg IVF often improves the chances of pregnancy, these factors can contribute to its failure in some cases.
Your Next Steps after Failed IVF [Your Options]
These reasons for failed IVF transfers given above do not mean that you can’t become a parent. You have options ranging from alternative treatments to adoption and surrogacy.
Here’s what those options look like and why they may be right for your journey.
Alternative Treatments
One of the first things you should do after learning the causes of your IVF failure is to speak to your fertility specialist.
They’re your partner in this journey and they can give insight into why the failure occurred and how you can adjust your plans moving forward.
In addition to getting a second opinion or using donor eggs, sperm or embryos, you can also try these three different fertility treatments:
Infertility is often caused by hormone imbalances in the reproductive system. Ovarian stimulation medications may help correct those hormone imbalances. If there are issues with the ovarian stimulation process, your doctor may be able to recommend alternative medications. If growths or adhesions are preventing you from getting pregnant, a laparoscopic surgery can increase your odds of pregnancy without many complications. A fiber optic scope is place through a small incision made in your navel. This device allows doctors to find any cysts, fibroids, adhesion or damage to your reproductive organs. Removing their presence can lead to better results during future attempts.
Adoption after Failed IVF
Adoption is another opportunity for you to grow your family once you know the reason for your IVF failure. No one option is better than the other; it’s about whatever is best for your situation.
Adoption and IVF offer a similar result in you starting or growing your family but differ in the following aspects:
- Cost
- Success rates
- Physical impact
- Genetic relationship
- Level of control
Surrogacy after Failed IVF
Intended parents share how surrogacy brings hope after loss.Why Choose Surrogacy?
Learning why IVF failed for could mean learning that carrying a baby to term yourself is out of the question.
Surrogacy is another lifeline you have once learning about your reasons for repeated IVF failure, whether preimplantation genetic testing has identified your embryos as unfit for transfer or you’re dealing with medical conditions like PCOS or endometriosis.
Working with a surrogate can increase the chances of you becoming a parent because with agencies like ours, the surrogate you choose will have been thoroughly screened and met specific health requirements to ensure they can safely carry your child to term.
If you decide to pursue surrogacy, you can use any remaining embryos from your IVF treatment.
Choosing surrogacy gives you:
- Genetic Connection: By using your eggs and/or the sperm of the intended father, you can still have a genetic connection to your child.
- Control: You will always be able to choose your surrogate.
- Involvement: They can be involved from the beginning
- Cost Effective: Since surrogates are highly qualified and are likely to conceive, there may be less money spent on transfer attempts.
Having embryos already created means you are that much closer to parenthood. We can match you with a surrogate in an average of 1-6 months. Contact us online if surrogacy is something you are interested in learning more about.
Get the Support You Deserve
Learning about why IVF fails can be emotionally exhausting; no matter how long you have been waiting to become a parent.
You can learn deal with these emotions with the support of friends and family and even using outside resources such as support groups or professional counseling.
Even if you are on the fence about whether surrogacy is right for your situation, we will be there to support you during this time regardless of your eventual decision about how to proceed.
Get in touch with us today to get the support you deserve. We can walk you through your options and even refer you to counseling and therapy professionals that deal with infertility.