What is the Success Rate of IVF?

The journey through infertility requires a substantial investment both financially and emotionally, and it is no wonder why most patients want to know the facts upfront. One of the main concerns for patients considering in vitro fertilization (IVF),  is the success rate of the treatment as well as that of the fertility treatment center. Knowing these statistics can be very helpful in choosing a physician and fertility treatment center as well as planning a course of treatment.

General IVF Success Rates
According to data collected by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART), the rate of pregnancy directly relates to the age of the patient.

• 30 years and younger, 50%
• 30-34 years, 48%
• 35-37 years, 45%
• 38-40 years, 35%
• 40 years and older, 14%

Where to Obtain IVF Success Rates
The rates for individual fertility treatment centers in each state can be found on the CDC and SART websites. Many fertility treatment centers also make that information available to the patient through their clinic materials and on their websites.

Understanding IVF Success Rates
While it is possible to obtain the general success rates as well as the rates of IVF success for individual fertility treatment centers, it is important to understand that there are many factors that play a role in those statistics. Fertility issues are complex, and calculating the rate of success the IVF treatment or a clinic’s success with IVF, is just as complex.

Many are surprised to find that SART does not use any system to independently verify each reporting fertility treatment center’s outcomes. While many clinics are reputable, and reporting IVF physicians are honest and make every effort to submit accurate results, there are still many factors which influence how those results are obtained, depending on the fertility treatment center’s philosophy of practice. Some of the factors that can influence a clinic’s success  include:

• Treating only the patients most likely to conceive
• Classifying the patients experiencing the highest levels of difficulty as “research patients” and therefore excluded from regular statistics
• Transferring larger numbers of embryos
• Reclassification of cycles

Success Rates for Individual Patients
All statistics are based on data gained from a population of people, including that for IVF success rates. However, each patient experiencing infertility comes with a unique set of circumstances that will directly impact their chances of achieving pregnancy which include:

• The particular issues surrounding the infertility
• Duration of infertility
• Age of woman
• Normalcy of uterus
• Quality of semen
• Success of cleavage in vitro
• Numbers of Embryos transferred

Increasing Individual IVF Success Rates
Because each patient is unique and success rates do not necessarily equate to the best care, patients should look for key indicators in a quality fertility treatment centers.

• The reputation of the lab within the medical community
• History and experience of the clinic
• The views of medical professionals outside the field of fertility
• The reviews of patients
• The philosophy of treatment

While it is difficult to truly calculate IVF success rates for the individual patient, understanding available statistics can help direct a patient in considering their options.