IVF can be highly successful but there are chances where the process may fail, leading to feelings of despair.Several factors can contribute to the failure of IVF and understanding the causes can help the couples make informed decisions and improve their chances of success.
Most common causes include
- Age-related issues:As women age, the ovarian reserve diminishes ,some faster then the others resulting in fewer number of oocytes and with lower-quality of oocytes , which can result in poorer quality of embryos and failed implantation.
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): women with pcos may have a lower quality of oocytes resulting in lower oocyte quality and difficult embryo implantation.
- Uterine abnormalities: Conditions like fibroids and adenomyoma or synchiae can all result in failed ivf.
- Lifestyle factors: habits such as alcohol consumption/smoking can all affect implantation.
- Genetic issues: few genetic conditions can lead to recurrent implantation failure or early miscarriages
- Ovarian response: in few cases women may not response to the stimulation as expected which result in fewer or lower quality of oocytes and embryos.
- Quality of the oocyte: Even with a good number of oocytes (eggs )retrieved, some may show abnormal chromosomal, resulting in difficulty to develop into healthy embryos which can also lead to failed implantation or early pregnancy loss
- Sperm quality: Male factor infertility play a huge role in failed ivf,poor quality,low number abnormal forms and high DFI result in poor quality embryos and failed implantation or recurrent abortions.
- Embryo quality: at the end even if the embryos are formed and if not of the good quality they wont result in successful pregnancy.
- Implantation failure: for a successful pregnancy how the embryo quality plays an important role the same way lining of the uterus also plays an important role.if patient suffers from thin linin,uterine nomalies,altered receptivity of the endometrium,all this may lead to failed ivf.
- Unexplained infertility: In some cases, the exact cause of IVF failure may remain unclear, leading to the diagnosis of unexplained infertility.
Written By: Dr. Chaithra S K
MBBS, MS-OBG, FRM, DRM
