Success Rate of IVF Treatment

The success rates of in vitro fertilization, or IVF, treatment vary based on a number of factors, such as maternal age, number of embryos transferred, and whether or not you are doing a cycle with fresh or frozen embryos.

Impact of Age on IVF Success

Success is highest for women under 35 with no health issues and lowest for women over 40 with low ovarian reserve or other reproductive health problems.

Fresh Embryo Transfer Success Rates

In cycles using fresh embryos and a woman's own eggs, 39.6 percent of women under age 35 achieved pregnancies via IVF that resulted in live birth. That percentage declines steadily with age and women over the age of 40 have an 11.5 percent chance of a pregnancy resulting in live birth.

Frozen Embryo Transfer Success Rates

In cycles using frozen embryos and a woman's own eggs, 33.6 percent of women under the age of 35 achieved a pregnancy that resulted in live birth. Again, the number declines with age. Women over the age of 40 have a 20.8 percent chance of a pregnancy that results in a live birth using frozen embryos.

Age Related Variables

As women get older the average number of embryos transferred increases, and the likelihood that the IVF cycle will be canceled due to overstimulation or other complications also increases.

Considerations

These statistics are based on women who have pregnancies resulting in live birth. The percentage of women who achieve pregnancy in each category is slightly higher.

References

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report on IVF success rates
• IVF pregnancy rates