IVF Study: Multiple Treatments Increases Chances of Conception
IVF (in vitro fertilization) can help many couples who are facing fertility problems finally conceive, but the success rates of IVF, especially with limited attempts at conception, are far from perfect. For years, medical researchers have looked for ways to improve the success rates of IVF, which average from 20 percent to 35 percent according to RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association.
IVF Study: More than 60 Percent Success
Now, a new study from researchers in the UK has found prolonging IVF treatment can significantly boost a woman’s chances of becoming pregnant using the technique with her own eggs. The findings are especially important because most women give up on IVF treatment after three or four unsuccessful cycles. According to the results of the UK study, women who continued to undergo IVF had increasing rates of success over time, with a 63.5 percent success rate in those who underwent IVF for six cycles. That rate continued to climb modestly up to the ninth cycle, the researchers said.
The study also found women under the age of 40 years had the greatest increase in success rates with more IVF cycles, achieving a 68 percent success rate by the sixth cycle, compared to an average of 32 percent for the first cycle. Women from age 40 to age 42 years had success rates of about 12 percent for the first cycle, soaring to an average of nearly 32 percent by the sixth cycle. Over the age of 42, success rates remained at about four percent regardless of the number of IVF attempts. Women who used donor eggs also did not experience an increase in success rates with more IVF treatments.
Getting the most from your IVF treatments.
Infertility can occur for many reasons, and understanding all the contributing factors for both partners is essential for achieving the best results with IVF. The primary “take-home message” of this study is not to become frustrated too early; instead, discuss the optimal number of treatment cycles with your doctor to determine the number of “tries” you’re comfortable undertaking and to learn important things you can do to improve your health and your partner’s health during treatment to help improve your odds. Plus, making sure you’re as healthy as you can be while trying to conceive can also help ensure a healthy pregnancy.
At New York Reproductive Wellness, we work closely with each couple beginning with the initial consultation and comprehensive evaluations, helping women and men understand the causes of their fertility issues as well as the options that are available to help them conceive. Each treatment plan is carefully crafted to ensure optimal results for every couple. To learn more about IVF and all the other treatment options we offer, call us at (516) 612-8466 and schedule a consultation visit today.
