Western medicine has developed some of the most advanced medical technology to help women & men with fertility issues become pregnant.  The courage, faith and incredible commitment of couples that go through intrauterine insemination (IUI) & in vitro fertilization (IVF) is nothing short of extraordinary.

 

First and foremost, our goal is always to help couples conceive on their own, naturally.  And most often this can happen, even in couples struggling with sub-fertility.  By re-balancing the body and restoring health, we are often able to optimize fertility making it very possible for women to get pregnant without the need of IUI and/or IVF.  However, this isn’t always the case and for some, resolution is just not possible.  And for these couples IUI or IVF procedures may be the best answer.  But even IUI and IVF cycles aren’t always a sure thing, and unfortunately the success rates of IUI and IVF are not very promising.  Far too often this only leads to more frustration and devastation for a couple.

 

For these reasons, we strongly recommend doing all you can do to prepare your body ahead of time to ensure the best possible outcome for your IUI and IVF.

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Let’s take a closer look at some of the STATS!

 

The overall success rate for IVF can vary based on several factors, including  age, the cause of infertility, and the specific fertility clinic's protocols. Here are some general statistics:

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Success Rates by Age Group

1. Under 35 Years Old: Approximately 40% to 50% success rate per cycle.

2. Ages 35 to 37: Around 30% to 40% success rate per cycle.

3. Ages 38 to 40: About 20% to 30% success rate per cycle.

4. Over 40 Years Old: Typically, success rates drop to around 5% to 15% per cycle.

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​Cumulative Success Rate

 

Many clinics report that the cumulative success rates (considering multiple IVF cycles) can be higher. For instance, after 3 to 6 cycles, success rates may reach up to 70% for women under 35.

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Factors Influencing Success Rates

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• Egg Quality and Quantity: Higher quality and quantity of eggs generally lead to better outcomes.

• Sperm Quality: Male factor infertility can also affect success rates.

• Embryo Quality: The quality of embryos at the time of transfer plays a critical role.

• Health and Lifestyle: Factors like BMI, smoking, and overall health can impact IVF success.

 

The statistics regarding the cancellation of IVF cycles due to insufficient egg production or poor egg quality can vary by clinic and population studied. However, some general trends and figures are often cited:

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• Cycle Cancellation Rates: Approximately 10% to 30% of IVF cycles may be canceled before egg retrieval due to factors such as:

  • Insufficient ovarian response (not enough eggs produced).

  • Poor egg quality.

 

• Ovarian Response: Studies suggest that about 20% to 30% of women undergoing ovarian stimulation for IVF may not respond adequately, resulting in fewer eggs collected than expected.
   

• Age Factor: Women over 35 tend to experience higher rates of poor egg quality, which can lead to cancellations. The age-related decline in ovarian reserve significantly impacts both the quantity and quality of eggs.
   

• Individual Variability: Factors such as underlying health conditions (like PCOS or endometriosis), hormonal imbalances, and lifestyle factors can all influence these statistics.
   

While IVF can be successful, it’s important to understand that individual outcomes can vary widely. Consulting with a fertility specialist can provide more personalized information based on specific circumstances.

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For the most accurate and tailored statistics, it's best to consult specific fertility clinics or recent studies, as these figures can fluctuate based on advancements in technology and individual patient profiles.

 

To further deepen the wound … if an IVF procedure has failed, most couples often find themselves in quite a bit of debt after such procedures.  IVF can cost upwards to thirty thousand dollars per cycle.  

 

Therefore, anything you can do to increase your chances of success will be worthwhile!!

 

 The good news … you CAN increase the likelihood of a positive outcome to IUI & IVF Cycles.

 

To ensure the greatest likelihood of success, you will want to prepare yourself in the best way possible BEFORE you begin your IUI/ IVF cycle.  The hormonal medications given during IUI/IVF are designed to help increase the production of your eggs, but they are not going to help improve the quality of your eggs. 

 

Giving birth to a healthy child is the goal, and not only a pregnancy.  To have a healthy child, you must have a healthy egg and a healthy sperm.  Sperm is half of the equation.  Conception that occurs from fathers with sperm issues (ie. low count, poor morphology, or impaired motility) will have increased rates of miscarriages and greater chances of genetic defects.   

 

 

How can SweetPea Fertility help improve success rates of IUI & IVF cycles?

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There are many things that can be done to help increase the success rates of couples choosing to undergo IUU/ IVF cycles, and this is how we can help you!

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The goals of treatment in preparation of an IUI and/or IVF is:

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• To improve egg & sperm quality BEFORE your IUI / IVF cycle

• To enhance uterine artery blood flow, improved endometrial lining and implantation success, protect integrity of follicles and help improve egg quality

• To support you physically, mentally and emotionally during and after the procedure.  

• To reduce some of the negative side effects caused by some of the medications and procedures.

 

 

Core fertility treatments commonly prescribed

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• Evidenced-based supplements in therapeutic dosing

• Nutritional plans tailored to your needs, biology and underlying diagnosis

• Fertility acupuncture  (including pre- and post- IUI or embryo transfer)

• Fertility lifestyle counselling

• Lab testing to determine hormone imbalances or other underlying root causes to the problems of your fertility

• Advanced testing to determine other underlying contributing factors

 

 

We recommend evidence-based fertility boosters focused on:

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• Improving egg quality

• Improving implantation rates

• Increasing blood flow to the pelvic organs

• Improving overall circulation

• Reducing inflammation in the pelvic organs

• Balancing hormones

• Reducing stress

• Increasing your overall health and nutritional status

• Preventing miscarriage

  

 

The treatment timeline to MAKING HEALTHY EGGS & SPERM

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Improving egg & sperm quality is always an important part to any fertility treatment plan, whether trying to conceive ‘naturally’ or planning to undergo IUI or IVF procedures. Let’s remember that the follicle maturation process in the ovary takes approximately 100 days and it can take this period of time to achieve benefits on egg quality, yet you’ll likely begin to see improvements along the way. Respecting the timelines of both egg quality (100 days) and sperm health (90 days), ideally we would work with both parents for a minimum of 3 cycles.

 

A woman’s best response to an IUI / IVF procedure will be dependent on her overall hormonal health in the months before the procedure, when the follicles are developing within the ovary.  We can help improve egg quality and sperm health before an IUI / IVF, to increase the likelihood of fertilization and the birth of a healthy baby.  Ideally, we recommend we begin treatment 3-4 months before your IUI / IVF cycle, to ensure you are as hormonally healthy as possible.   This will often give us enough time to restore balance to the body’s energies and organs so that you will have the best response to IUI / IVF and greatest chance of success!