Why IVF Fails
“I remember the gut wrenching pain, the tears and disbelief that followed. Even the blue dress I wore that day became a painful reminder of that moment.”
As a fertility naturopath who focuses on helping people prepare for IVF, I have seen countless patients who have gone through the heart-wrenching experience of an IVF cycle that didn’t go to plan. It’s a difficult journey, and I understand what that feels like.
It was 2013. My husband, Alex, Hattie (my daughter) and I travelled to the UAE from Tasmania. Alex and I had 2 frozen embryos in Dubai and we were wishing, hoping and praying that one of them would become our second baby.
We had the most amazing holiday in Abu Dhabi as I took the meds, did the tests and tracked everything ready for a frozen embryo transfer.
We went out to a luxurious brunch at Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. If you know Abu Dhabi and it’s brunches then you know what I mean- L.U.X.U.R.I.O.U.S We were happy and excited, totally living our best life and filled with positive anticipation for the transfer.
But then the unexpected happened.
I got a call from the embryologist in the lab telling me that neither embryo had survived the thaw. They’d both died and we had no embryos left to transfer. The cycle was cancelled.
I remember the gut wrenching pain, the tears, the disbelief that followed. Even the dress I wore that day became a painful memory of that moment.
So when I say I can understand the pain of an IVF cycle that didn’t work. I really mean it.
But this experience has also given me a deep understanding of the many reasons why IVF cycles can fail because over the next 10 years after that it’s driven my desire to continue to learn more- to help you!
Through my work as a Fertility Naturopath, I have helped countless individuals navigate the emotional and physical challenges of IVF, and I have seen firsthand the many factors that can impact IVF success. From hormonal imbalances, male factors, immune challenges and endometrial issues to environmental toxins and nutritional deficiencies, there are a wide range of factors that can play a role in IVF outcomes.
Let’s consider 5 of these reasons, some of which may be new to you:
1. Egg quality: Issues with egg quality and mitochondrial energy can impact fertilisation rates, early stages of embryo development and implantation.
2. Male factor: Issues with sperm quality, quantity, or motility can also make IVF more challenging and decrease the chances of success. Often people think that because the sperm can be injected into the egg ie ICSI that any issues with the sperm can be overcome. While there are so many factors to consider here one is the integrity of the DNA inside the sperm. By the way this can be assessed ahead of time using the SCSA test.
3. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) PCOS is a disorder that can interfere with ovulation and fertility. Women with PCOS may require more extensive IVF treatments to achieve pregnancy this is often because inflammation and unregulated insulin/blood sugar levels can often lead to poorer quality eggs (even though there might be lots and lots collected)
4. Endometrial lining: If the lining is too thin then the cycle may be cancelled before a transfer can even happen. But also the lining can be a factor as to why implantation may not occur. This can be influenced by hormones, circulation, immune system, the uterine microbiome, endometriosis and inflammation.
5. Embryo quality Embryo quality is crucial for implantation and a healthy pregnancy. If the embryo does not develop properly or has genetic abnormalities, it may not implant or lead to a viable pregnancy.
But there are also many other factors involved in why an IVF cycle doesn’t work:
1. Lifestyle factors such as smoking/vaping, excessive alcohol consumption, poor diet, and lack of exercise can all negatively impact fertility and decrease the chances of a successful IVF cycle.
2. Endometriosis: Endometriosis is a condition where the tissue that normally lines the inside of the uterus grows outside of it, causing pain and infertility. IVF can be more challenging for women with endometriosis because of the many factors that underlie it’s development.
3. Blocked fallopian tubes Blocked fallopian tubes can create inflammatory markers which can make IVF more difficult.
4. Ovarian response and hormone levels: Some women may not respond as well to ovarian stimulation medication, which can lead to fewer eggs being retrieved and lower chances of success.
5. Implantation failure: Sometimes the embryo may not implant properly in the uterus, this can be impacted with the lining, infections, the uterine microbiome immune markers, clotting factors, hormone levels and the health of the embryo.
As you can see, there are many factors that can impact the success of IVF. However, there are also steps you can take to increase your chances of success, such as preparing your mind and body, knowing your options, creating a support network, and educating yourself. Ultimately, it’s best to consider all the factors above to see if any of these need addressing to try and help you create your pregnancy.
I understand how challenging and emotional the journey to parenthood can be, and I'm here to support you every step of the way.
