In vitro fertilization (IVF) assists with conception by combining an egg and sperm outside the body in a laboratory setting. The treatment involves several steps, such as egg retrieval and embryo transfer, and it can be used to address a range of fertility challenges, including unexplained infertility. If the embryo doesn’t successfully implant in the uterine lining or the early pregnancy is not sustained, this is referred to as IVF failure. Here are a few steps to take if this occurs:
Take Time To Process
IVF requires patients to attend multiple doctor’s appointments, administer hormone injections, and undergo minor surgical procedures, and it isn’t always successful. This makes fertility treatment physically and mentally demanding. Some individuals may need time to process, recover, and focus on overall wellness after an IVF failure. Joining a support group or speaking with a fertility counselor can help with navigating the effects of IVF failure and unexplained infertility.
Meet With a Fertility Specialist
Meeting with a fertility specialist allows patients to explore why the IVF treatment was unsuccessful. It also helps them learn what to do next. After a failed IVF cycle, a fertility specialist may:
Adjust the IVF Protocol
Before beginning an IVF cycle, fertility specialists create a specific treatment plan or IVF protocol for each patient. This protocol includes the types, doses, and timing of fertility medications. It also outlines the schedule for key steps like ovarian stimulation, egg retrieval, and embryo transfer. If an IVF treatment is unsuccessful, the specialist can recommend changes for future cycles. These may include altering medication dosages or improving embryo selection and transfer timing.
Discuss When To Try Again
Fertility specialists can help patients decide if and when they should begin another IVF cycle. The specialist may recommend waiting approximately four to six weeks after an unsuccessful treatment. This period allows patients to complete a full menstrual cycle, and it gives the body time to recover from the medications used during IVF.
Recommend Alternative Options
Depending on the situation and the number of unsuccessful IVF cycles, fertility specialists may suggest alternative paths. These can include using donor eggs or sperm and trying intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Surrogacy and adoption are also potential options.
Ask About Diagnostic Testing
Patients may have underlying conditions that were not identified before beginning IVF treatment. Diagnostic testing enables fertility specialists to identify potential concerns. These tests include hormone evaluations, genetic screening, or uterine imaging, and they may improve the chances of future IVF success.
BCL6 testing helps identify inflammation of the uterine lining, which is associated with silent endometriosis. This marker is present in more than 50% of women with unexplained infertility, and the percentage increases to 65% when referring to women with two or more IVF failures. The ReceptivaDx test includes the BCL6 marker. It uses a single sample to identify various leading causes of unexplained infertility, including endometriosis and progesterone resistance.
Treat Underlying Conditions
If a patient tests positive for the BCL6 marker, they can discuss treatment options with a fertility specialist. Options may include surgical laparoscopy and hormone suppression therapy. These treatments aim to reduce inflammation and improve the uterine environment for implantation. Surgical laparoscopy allows doctors to locate and remove endometrial lesions, while hormone suppression therapy helps manage symptoms and suppresses the inflammation. Addressing these underlying conditions may enhance the chances of a successful IVF cycle.
Find Answers for Unexplained Infertility
When IVF fails in cases of unexplained infertility, it can suggest that there are underlying issues that have not yet been detected. These include symptomatic and silent endometriosis, along with progesterone resistance. Repeated IVF failure may prompt specialists to recommend additional diagnostic testing, such as the ReceptivaDx test. Identifying and addressing hidden causes of infertility can lead to more targeted treatment and improved chances of success in future IVF cycles. Contact us today at https://receptivadx.com to learn more about this test.