IVF Failure - Reasons You must Know!

IVF have the success of 40-50% across the globe, varies from case to case as per underlying etiology. It is the best treatment available giving maximum pregnancy rates amongst all options, but it may fail due to the following reasons:

1. Poor quality of oocyte (female egg) - Age is the best indicator of oocyte quality. More the age of the female partner, poorer is oocyte quality. It also depends upon associated pelvic pathology, endometriosis, smoking.
2. Abnormal semen report - Increased number of sperms with abnormal morphology (>96%), high DNA fragmentation are indicators of genetically abnormal sperms. It is usually the case in males with obesity, diabetes, smoking, genital infections, exposure to chemicals/ radiation, varicocele.
3. Poor quality embryos resulting from abnormal oocyte or sperm have very low pregnancy potential.
4. Thin endometrium - If endometrial thickness is less than 7mm, it reduces endometrial receptivity and implantation rate of embryos. Thin endometrium could be the result of kochs endometritis, asherman's syndrome causing poor vascularity.
5. Luteal phase insufficiency -  Post transfer, embryos need optimum luteal phase support in the form of progesterone & HCG for implantation and further growth. Any deficiency in luteal support can result in negative pregnancy report.

These are broadly main factors leading to IVF failure. It is advisable to evaluate them before beginning treatment.