IVF success rates vary depending on a number of factors—some within your control, others not. However, it’s important to understand the factors involved in individual IVF success rates and to have realistic expectations when beginning IVF treatment.

According to Resolve.org, the National Infertility Association, women with the best chance have a per-cycle IVF success rate of 40%. Most women have a per-cycle IVF success rate of more like 20-35%. These percentages should help set your expectations going into IVF and help you feel better if your first round of IVF doesn’t work.

For a quick workup of what your success rate might be, there are a number of online calculators that estimate your chances of IVF success using basic personal information. IVFpredict and IVFSuccessRates are two such calculators.

Here are some of the factors that determine success rate:

1. Maternal age

One of the first questions asked of women considering IVF is, “What is your age?” This is because IVF success rates have been shown to decrease with age, and infertility experienced by women over the age of 35 brings a number of additional factors to consider.

2. Previous pregnancy

Likely, the second question a clinic asks will relate to any previous pregnancies and/or how long you have been trying to get pregnant.

A history of miscarriage can affect the success of IVF, as can previous births and/or a different partner. How long you have been trying may also speak to possible fertility issues. Tracking your fertility journey with apps such as the Glow fertility app can be a helpful way to prepare for IVF and to provide your doctor with the most information possible.

3. Type of fertility issue

Determining if you or your partner have any fertility issues can be a big indicator of whether IVF will work for you, and which additional reproductive technologies may be necessary to improve your chances of success. Blocked or damaged fallopian tubes, ovulation disorders, genetic disorders, and male infertility can be overcome with IVF, but identifying these factors is key to effective treatment.

4. Use of donor eggs

Good egg quality and the age of the donor are significant considerations for IVF. If you're over 40, using donor eggs from younger women can increase the success rate of IVF. Also, fresh donor eggs see higher success rates than frozen eggs.

5. Lifestyle

Weight and history of smoking can both affect IVF success rates. Being overweight may influence the medications needed to be successful with IVF and may influence the woman’s egg quality. Smoking also diminishes egg quality and can disrupt ovulation and fertilization.

6. Clinic choice

The last factor in the likelihood of a successful IVF procedure is your clinic choice. Some clinics claim higher success rates than others and charge accordingly. However, higher success rates could be associated with only taking on patients with the most optimal chances of success, or having a smaller patient population overall.

Glow Pages (available on line and in our Glow app) allows you to read thousands of user reviews on clinics in order to find the right choice for you. If you want more help, you can also get advice from our Glow Fertility Program coaches today by calling 1-866-456-9669 (1-866-GLOW-NOW).

A bit scared about IVF