Infertility In Women - Lifestyle Changes

(Page 3)

Embryo Transfer Guidelines. The American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) and the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technologies (SART) have joint guidelines on the the number of embryos that should be transferred during IVF procedures:

For women under the age of 35, a single embryo

For women between ages 35 -37, no more than two embryos

For women between ages 38 – 40, no more than three embryos

For women ages 41 – 42, no more than five embryos

For women older than age 42, there are insufficient data to recommend a limit on the number of embryos

These embryo numbers are recommended for women with favorable prognoses. For patients who have failed to become pregnant after at least two IVF cycles, or who have a less favorable prognosis, the doctor may consider adding one additional embryo. The guidelines apply to both fresh and frozen embryos.

Other IVF Procedures. About 1 - 2% of IVF procedures use adaptations called gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT) and zygote intrafallopian transfer (ZIFT), which transfers the gametes (egg and sperm) into a women’s fallopian tube rather than her uterus. In GIFT, the egg is harvested as with IVF and mixed with sperm, and is then injected into the woman’s fallopian tube where fertilization occurs. In ZIFT, the egg is fertilized with sperm in the laboratory before being transferred to the fallopian tube. For GIFT and ZIFT a woman must have at least one functioning fallopian tube.

Success Rates. Not all IVF cycles result in pregnancy, and not all IVF-achieved pregnancies result in live births. According to the most recent statistics from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 35% of ART cycles (mostly IVF) led to pregnancy, but only 29% resulted in a live birth of one or more babies. Success rates provided by fertility clinics are not always a reliable indicator as they depend on many variables, including the age of the patients.

Data indicate that the chances of IVF resulting in live birth are about:

40% for women younger than age 35

30% for women ages 35 - 37

20% for women ages 38 - 40

10% for women ages 41 - 42