The failure of in vitro fertilization, or IVF, can result from multiple factors. Many of these reasons go undiagnosed. There are some common but overlooked causes of IVF issues. Identifying and treating these conditions may significantly improve the outcome of IVF. Here are five reasons behind IVF failure and how to address them:
1. Uterine Lining Inflammation
A healthy uterine lining is ideal for embryo implantation. Inflammation of the uterine lining interferes with this process and may increase the risk of IVF failure. This condition can result from endometriosis, chronic endometriosis, or progesterone resistance. Inflammation is usually asymptomatic, meaning it can go undiagnosed without targeted testing. Experts in IVF treatments help identify inflammation markers and use the appropriate treatment to improve pregnancy success rates.
2. Silent Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a common cause of infertility. Not all endometriosis is symptomatic with pelvic pain or an irregular cycle, making it harder to diagnose. Silent endometriosis may affect the lining of the uterus without signs. If undiagnosed, it reduces the uterus’s ability to retain implantation and leads to repeated failure of IVF. Traditional diagnostic methods like laparoscopy can be invasive and expensive, but we do not perform invasive treatments. It detects the BCL6 biomarker, which shows inflammation from silent endometriosis.
3. Progesterone Resistance
Progesterone is used to prepare the uterine lining for embryo implantation. Some women experience progesterone resistance because their uterine lining does not respond to the hormone, reducing the chances of a successful pregnancy. Identifying progesterone resistance through testing allows fertility specialists to adjust one’s treatment plan. This increases the likelihood of implantation and a successful IVF cycle.
4. Chronic Endometriosis
Chronic endometriosis is a low-grade bacterial infection in the uterine lining. This creates an inhospitable environment for embryo implantation. Chronic endometriosis is often undiagnosed due to unnoticeable symptoms. ReceptivaDx detects the CD138 biomarker, which identifies chronic endometriosis. It allows fertility specialists to prescribe targeted antibiotic treatments. Treating chronic endometriosis before embryo transfer may improve IVF success rates.
5. Undiagnosed Uterine Conditions
Standard IVF evaluations tend to focus on egg quality and embryo health. They often overlook uterine conditions that affect implantation. Many women with unexplained infertility or repeated IVF failure may have underlying uterine inflammation that remains undetected. We provide patients with a cost-effective and non-invasive way to diagnose conditions like silent endometriosis, progesterone resistance, and chronic endometriosis.
Addressing IVF Failure With ReceptivaDx
For patients with positive BCL6 results, treatment options like hormone suppression therapy or surgical laparoscopy can help improve IVF success rates. Without treatment, women with silent endometriosis and a positive BCL6 result have only a 12% success rate in their next IVF transfer. With treatment, success rates increase to over 62%, a five-fold improvement.
Laparoscopy is used to remove visible endometriosis. It has become less commonly used because it is costly and invasive. ReceptivaDx is a valuable alternative. It identifies the likelihood of endometriosis-related inflammation and allows fertility specialists to recommend treatments that help improve implantation success.
Take Control of IVF Conditions Today
Patients who have experienced failed IVF cycles may benefit from additional testing to uncover underlying uterine conditions. ReceptivaDx detects factors like inflammation associated with silent endometriosis, providing treatment options. For more information on how ReceptivaDx can help improve IVF success rates, contact ReceptivaDx today.