In vitro fertilization, or IVF, is an infertility treatment involving the egg being fertilized outside the body. This procedure may be recommended if a woman’s fallopian tubes are damaged or blocked, she has endometriosis, or she is struggling with ovulation. The treatment may also work if the man has a low sperm count or when the root of infertility is not known. If you are planning on undergoing this treatment, here are insights into the effectiveness of IVF:

How IVF Works

In vitro fertilization is a combination of prescriptions and surgery. First, the female partner takes medication to help the eggs mature until they are ready for fertilization. The doctor then extracts the mature eggs from the female’s body and mixes them with sperm from the male partner in the lab. Once one or more eggs are fertilized into embryos, the doctor returns them to the woman’s uterus. The embryo implants on the uterus lining to become a pregnancy. Your doctor monitors you and does a blood test after about two weeks to determine if you are pregnant.

Factors Affecting Vitro Fertilization Success

You undergo several assessments and treatments before starting the fertilization treatment. During these stages, your provider searches for issues that might hinder pregnancy. Some of these hinderances are manageable, but in some cases, your doctor will recommend other infertility treatment alternatives. Here are some factors that influence IVF effectiveness.

Age of the Female

A woman is most fertile in her 20s and 30s, meaning there is a higher chance of getting pregnant through reproductive technologies. As a female ages, she releases fewer eggs, which may not be as healthy as in the younger years. Age increases the risk of developing uterine fibroids and other health conditions that affect fertility. Although the uterus’ ability to carry pregnancy remains even in the late 40s, some age-related issues affect the uterine lining.

Medical History

During the first consultation with your doctor, you will be asked questions about your medical and family history. The provider monitors your ovulation cycle to establish if you should use stimulation drugs. Tell your doctor if you have undergone treatment for uterine problems like endometriosis and adenomyosis. Thyroid conditions and blood clotting also impact infertility treatments’ success rate.

Lifestyle

Unhealthy lifestyle habits such as excessive drinking and smoking may reduce the IVF effectiveness rate. Women who smoke require more treatment processes to stimulate the ovaries than non-smokers. Candidates who are overweight or obese have a lower success rate and a higher risk of miscarriage. Underweight women experience conceiving difficulties.

Miscarriages

Your doctor evaluates any past pregnancies you may have had to weigh your chances of a successful IVF. If you have been pregnant with your current partner before, there is a higher chance of a successful procedure. A history of more than one miscarriage will lower the success rate.

Schedule An IVF Appointment for More

The effectiveness of IVF depends on several factors. Schedule a consultation with a reputable infertility treatment doctor to find out more. The provider will review your age, medical history, lifestyle, and pregnancy history to identify underlying hindrances. They will then create a customized treatment plan for your unique needs, which maximizes success rate.