How to increase the success rate in IVF?
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What's the success rate in IVF?
When comparing the success rate in IVF, it is important to first define how success is calculated. IVF success rate can be defined by the number of implanted embryos out of transferred ones, the number of patients that resulted in a positive beta-HCG test out of patients who started treatment, or number ents who had a live birth out of those who had an collection.
The globally accepted IVF success rate, however, is calculated by how many of the patients who underwent egg collection had a live birth.
Unfortunately, there isn't a centralized organization that collects, compiles and publishes the data of IVF centers in Turkey doesn't exist. Therefore we can not scientifically determine the overall IVF success rate in Turkey. When we evaluated the 2018 data from SART(www.sart.org), the organization that compiles and publishes the IVF center data in the United States, we found that the single most important factor influencing IVF success rate is the age of the female patient. You can see below the ratio between the patients that underwent egg collection and the patients who had a live birth. The live birth rate is reduced with increasing female patient age, and can go as low as 9.7% for patients older than 40 years.
| Age | < 35 | 35-37 | 38-40 | 41-42 | >42 |
| Number of cycles | 42819 | 26027 | 24958 | 12685 | 8932 |
| Live birth rate | %39,5 | %29,1 | %19,5 | %9,7 | %3,0 |
What are medical factors?
The single most important factor influencing the success rate of IVF treatment is the age of the female patient. Live birth rates start to decline after 35 years, and drop significantly after 40 years. Our patients older than 35 years should consider this decline and should not delay starting treatment.
There are other factors than patient age influencing IVF success rate, and these factors should also be evaluated:
- The height and weight of the female patient, BMI(Body-Mass index) Obseity or anorexia
- Lowered egg reserve
- Male factors
- PCOS(Polycystic ovarian syndrome)
- Myoma in the uterus and other factors that can prevent the embryo from holding on to the uterus
- Hydrosalpinx found in ovarian tubes
- Endometriozis (çikolata kisti) varlığı ve büyüklüğü
- Previous live birth
- Genetic disorders
- Cancer or chronic diseases,
- Genetic disorders
- High tobacco or alcohol use
What are Environmental Factors?
Stress is one of our biggest problems today. Stress due to work conditions, and social conditions can negatively affect the pregnancy process. We recommend that the patients not forget that the IVF treatment isn't the only source of stress itself, and for our couples to seek mental counsel if needed.
High temperatures have a negative effect on sperm quality. Working in high temperature environments (Steel factory, bakery, etc..), and in workplaces with a high amount of exposure to chemicals (paint or furniture factories, etc...) may negatively affect sperm quality.
Bad air quality can also negatively affect sperm and egg quality.
