When Can I Try IVF Again After a Failed Cycle? 

Couples unable to conceive naturally can turn to in-vitro fertilization (IVF) to have a family. An IVF failure can leave you feeling frustrated and devastated. A specialist can assess you to determine the root cause of the failed fertility treatment.

What Can Cause a Failed Fertility Treatment

Fertility treatment can fail due to the following reasons:

Quality and Quantity of Eggs

With age, the quality of eggs can deteriorate, contributing to failed in-vitro fertilization. Age tends to affect the number of eggs that can be retrieved for the treatment. An expert might need to conduct fertility tests to determine a suitable treatment.

Embryo Implantation Failure

Failure of embryos to implant in the uterus can contribute to failed fertility treatment. If the embryos are of poor quality, the implantation may fail. Genetic abnormalities in embryos can lead to implantation failure.

Unhealthy Lifestyle

During your IVF treatment, you can change your lifestyle habits to help increase your chances of success. You might need to stop drinking and smoking for a couple of months. If you continue with these lifestyle habits, you may experience an IVF failure. 

Eating too many processed foods and not getting enough sleep can affect egg quality. Eat nutritious meals and get sufficient sleep to help attain IVF success.

Endometriosis

Endometriosis is one of the reasons for failed fertility treatment. The endometriosis tissue can grow in your uterine wall and shed during menstruation. This growth tends to block the path of eggs and contribute to a failed IVF. The presence of BLC6 protein can indicate that you have endometriosis.

Ovarian Response

During your IVF treatment, you may need an injection containing follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) to help boost egg production. This process can fail in some women, and the ovaries might not respond properly to the medication. A poor ovarian response can decrease the chances of IVF success.

Chromosomal Abnormalities

IVF might fail if the embryos have chromosomal abnormalities. Such abnormalities tend to arise when the embryo has missing, irregular, or extra portions of DNA. Your body can reject this type of embryo and lead to a failed IVF.

Underlying Health Conditions

Underlying health conditions, such as diabetes, thyroid problems, and cancer can impact fertility treatment. Such health issues can make it difficult for an embryo to implant in the uterus. Treating these health conditions first can reduce failed in-vitro fertilization.

Steps To Take After an IVF Failure

Once the in-vitro fertilization procedure fails, you can take time to recover mentally and physically. Then you can book an appointment with your fertility specialist to figure out the cause of the failed IVF. The specialist may recommend a BCL6 test to check whether you have endometriosis.

If you have endometriosis, a doctor can prescribe medication to help manage tissue growth blocking egg passage. Surgery might be another option. Hormone therapy may also help correct certain health issues. After healing, you can go through another IVF cycle.

If your doctor rules out endometriosis, they might suggest a change of lifestyle habits, such as:

• Quitting drinking
• Stopping tobacco use
• Sleeping adequately
• Eating a balanced diet

If you’ve had a couple of failed IVF procedures, comprehensive tests can help determine the cause. Once you get the results, a doctor can recommend suitable treatment depending on your case.

When To Try IVF Again

The standard space between IVF cycles can be a full menstrual cycle or a couple of months. During this period, you can heal from inflammation caused by ovarian stimulation. A failed fertility treatment can also drain you emotionally. This break can help you get some rest and relief as well as give you time to decide what you want to do.

You may need to pause the treatment to make financial arrangements for the next cycle.

Get Tested To Prevent Failed IVF

Your fertility specialists can suggest a series of tests to reduce the risk of IVF failure in the future. If the issue stems from endometriosis, you can get personalized treatment. Negative test results can indicate that other underlying health issues require immediate treatment. Get tested to determine what’s causing failed IVF. Your fertility specialist can help you determine what the best course of action is after a failed IVF procedure.