IVF success rates – getting into your clinic’s numbers
When considering IVF and choosing the fertility clinic best suited to your treatment, it’s important to have a basic understanding of IVF success rates. We sat down with leading UK and international medical experts to explore IVF percentage success rate data, and how to interpret.
Plus, we also look at other key factors patients should consider when selecting a fertility clinic, along with the potential risks involved in treatment.
What happens during IVF?
A single cycle of IVF typically takes around 3-6 weeks. Average birth rates range from 7%-31% per embryo transferred, depending on the type of transfer, a woman’s age and the cause of infertility. IVF can generally be broken down into six main stages:
- Suppressing the natural cycle – using medication to temporarily pause the body’s natural reproductive process.
- Boosting egg production – taking fertility hormones to stimulate the ovaries to produce more eggs than usual.
- Maturing and monitoring eggs – tracking development with vaginal ultrasound scans and, in some cases, blood tests.
- Collecting the eggs – retrieving mature eggs using a fine needle inserted into the ovaries.
- Fertilisation – mixing the eggs with partner or donor sperm and allowing time for fertilisation to occur.
- Embryo transfer – placing one or more fertilised embryos into the womb.
Who undergoes IVF?
According to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), most patients undergoing IVF in the UK in 2017 were heterosexual couples (90.7%). However, figures for other groups are increasing, with same-sex partnerships making up 5.9%, single patients 3%, and patients opting for surrogacy 0.4%.
The most common reasons patients choose IVF include fertility problems such as:
- Blocked or damaged fallopian tubes
- Low sperm counts, or high numbers of sperm with abnormal shape or movement
- Ovulation difficulties, particularly for those who have been unsuccessful with other, often less invasive, treatments
- Unexplained infertility
IVF success rates
What do we mean specifically, by “IVF success rates”? In this case, the term refers to live births per embryo transferred.
The HFEA’s 2017 report (as referenced on nhs.uk) shows the average chance of a live birth from IVF treatment depending on a woman’s age, which is one of the main factors affecting success rates.
For heterosexual couples using their own eggs and sperm, the live birth rates per embryo transferred are:
- Under 35: 29%
- 35-37: 23%
- 38-39: 15%
- 40-42: 9%
- 43-44: 3%
- Over 44: 2%
The same HFEA document also reveals data showing slightly higher success rates for frozen treatment cycles, which may be explained by embryos being frozen at younger ages, when fertility is higher.
It also reports higher birth rates with the use of donor eggs and sperm, as this approach removes many of the causes of infertility, including age-related decline, low sperm count, and reduced sperm quality.
Your clinic’s IVF success rates
When choosing a clinic, check their IVF success rates using HFEA’s database and compare them with the national average. When enquiring, be sure to ask for live birth rates rather than pregnancy rates.
It’s important to note that a clinic’s success rate doesn’t necessarily reflect the quality of the clinic or its doctors. Instead, it often reflects the types of patients a clinic works with. Some may, for example, refuse to perform IVF on patients with a high BMI, or those over 50.
Clinics treating both NHS and private patients may also show higher success rates for this reason, as the NHS uses a strict selection criterion that tends to favour women with a higher likelihood of conception.
Calculating your IVF success rate
IVF success rates depend on several factors, including age, reasons for infertility, and whether eggs are fresh or frozen. So how does a clinic calculate your individual chances?
Clinics typically provide estimates based on patient-specific data. HSFC told us that clinics usually offer tailored estimates using results from ultrasound scans, hormone tests, and semen analysis, alongside patient age and any previous treatments.
Similarly, EmbryoClinic’s process for determining IVF success rates includes “online consultations, medical history evaluations, and investigation tests.”
EmbryoClinic also provides medical advice to help patients optimise their lifestyle, taking into account “individual needs, social backgrounds, religious beliefs, medical status, and wellness.”
Optimising for success
So, what do the experts recommend to increase your chances of IVF success? Here are the at-home actions to focus on:
Maintain a healthy weight
While weight is generally less influential than factors like age, being over or underweight is associated with lower IVF success rates. For example, overweight patients may produce fewer eggs, experience lower fertilisation rates and embryo quality, and have higher miscarriage rates.
Reduce stress (where you can)
Research shows that stress can negatively impact IVF outcomes, and mindfulness practice, acupuncture and other holistic methods have been linked to improved pregnancy rates.
We totally get it, though – stress is a very natural part of this process. Don’t stress about stress, put a couple of these techniques into practice and know that you’re doing the most incredible job, each day of your cycle.
Look into supplements
Vitamin D is thought to support high-quality embryo development and successful implantation. Omega-3 fatty acids (read about the impact of omega-3 deficiency on fertility), DHEA, and CoQ10 may enhance sperm quality, and other supplements show promise in different areas. Always consult your doctor to determine what’s best for you.
Don’t obsess
While IVF success rates are important, other factors matter when choosing a clinic. “Fertility treatments are not (yet) an exact science,” HSFC told us. “Two very similar patients could receive the same treatment and have different outcomes, or the same patient could have different results with the same procedure.”
Experience matters
HSFC advises choosing an experienced doctor, as they “will be able to pick up on subtle clues and make small adjustments that can make all the difference.”
EmbryoClinic concurs, “The most important factor when choosing a clinic is the education of the medical team and their ability to treat patients and couples individually.” They recommend checking the staff-to-patient ratio, whether the clinic has dedicated teams for each treatment, and the experience level of the scientific staff.
At EmbryoClinic, for instance, Medical Director Dr Elias Tsakos oversees all patients and performs the majority of treatments, supported by four consultant gynaecologists and two senior embryologists with over ten years of experience.
Continuity of care
HSFC advises ensuring you see the same doctor throughout your treatment. “Good doctors know their patients well, and even with the best documentation, not everything makes it into patient notes. Continuity ensures the best possible care.”
Go for multiple initial consultations
Not blown away by your first consultation? HSFC advise patients to “have an initial consultation at two or three clinics to see where they feel most comfortable.”
Know the health risks
While IVF can provide incredible results, it’s important to be aware of the potential health risks:
- Multiple births (twins or triplets), which increase the risk of miscarriage, anaemia, heavy bleeding, and other complications.
- Ectopic pregnancy, where the embryo implants outside of the womb.
- Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS), where too many eggs develop in the ovaries.
- Medication side effects, such as hot flushes and headaches.
- Mental health challenges – IVF and infertility can take a toll on individuals and couples, so getting the right emotional support is essential.
Clinics like EmbryoClinic offer multiple consultations, full medical and psychological assessments, and counselling for IVF patients ahead of treatment. It’s worth checking whether your chosen clinic provides this kind of support too.
