IVF

Am I a Candidate for In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)?    

While many causes of infertility can be addressed with treatments such as medication, intrauterine insemination (IUI), or surgery, in-vitro fertilization (IVF) offers an effective option for more complex cases or when multiple factors are involved. In some situations, individuals or couples may proceed directly to IVF—for example, when the fallopian tubes are blocked and not repairable, or when sperm-related factors significantly reduce the chances of fertilization without assistance.

IVF involves stimulating the ovaries with hormone therapy to produce multiple mature eggs. The eggs are then retrieved through a minor outpatient procedure. Fertilization occurs in the laboratory (in vitro), after which one or more resulting embryos can be transferred into a uterus to establish a pregnancy.

Unlike other fertility treatments, IVF allows for greater control over the number of embryos transferred and the option to perform additional testing—such as genetic screening—when medically indicated.

Understanding IVF Success Rates

The chances of achieving a successful pregnancy with IVF can vary widely depending on many factors, and interpreting success rate data can sometimes be confusing. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART) collect and publish IVF success rates from clinics across the U.S., but these national reports are often based on data that are several years old by the time they are available.

It’s important to understand that success rates can differ between clinics for many reasons—including the characteristics of the patients they treat (such as age and medical history), whether it's a first or subsequent IVF cycle, and the types of procedures used.

Success rates are typically reported as the likelihood of delivering a baby from a single IVF cycle. These rates are usually broken down by the age of the egg provider and the type of treatment—such as use of fresh eggs, frozen embryos, or donor eggs—since each carries different expected outcomes. In some cases, the reported success may refer to an ongoing clinical pregnancy when birth data are not yet available, but pregnancies should not be counted based solely on a positive pregnancy test.

Because many individual factors influence outcomes, we encourage you to talk with our team about your unique situation and what success might look like for you. We’re here to help you understand the data and guide you through your options.