Trying to make a baby but not getting a positive pregnancy test is more common than you might realize. About 12% to 15% of American couples of reproductive age experience infertility, or the inability to conceive despite having regular unprotected penis-in-vagin* sex. Fertility treatments like in vitro fertilization (IVF) can help.
However, hopeful parents often wonder about the success rates of these procedures. How effective is IVF, and can you do anything to increase your chances of IVF success? A number of factors, such as age, personal health, body weight, type of fertility issue, type of IVF used, embryo quality, and the skill of the fertility clinic, will impact your chances of pregnancy with IVF. However, generally, IVF success rates are around 30% to 40% or above for people under 35 and from around 20% to less than 5% for people over 35.
Keep reading to learn about IVF success rates, and how to increase your chances of having a successful IVF cycle.
What Is IVF?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), assisted reproductive technology (ART) includes "all fertility treatments in which either eggs or embryos are handled." Approximately 2.3% of all infants born in America every year are conceived using ART, says the CDC, and its use has more than doubled since 2014.
One of the most common forms of ART is in vitro fertilization (IVF). During an IVF cycle, eggs are surgically retrieved from the ovaries, fertilized with sperm in a lab, and one or more of the resulting embryos are inserted back into the uterus. Your chances of IVF success depend on a variety of factors including your age, the fertility clinic doing your treatment, and your overall health and fertility issues.
What the IVF Process Is Really Like
The Data on IVF Success Rates
Since the passing of the Fertility Clinic Success Rate and Certification Act in 1992, all ART cycles performed in United States fertility clinics are reported to CDC. Using this data, the CDC publishes the annual Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Fertility Clinic and National Summary Report, which includes information on IVF success rates across the country.
The 2021 report, which was published in 2023, analyzed 413,776 ART cycles on 238,126 patients carried out by 453 fertility clinics across the country, as well as the outcomes of those cycles. These cycles resulted in:
- 91,906 live births (deliveries of one or more living infants)
- 97,128 live-born infants
Of the 413,776 ART cycles performed, 167,689 were egg or embryo banking cycles intended to be frozen for future ART cycles, and not expected to result in a pregnancy or birth. This means that without those egg or embryo banking cycles, 246,087 were intended for pregnancy, which adds up to just over a 37% success rate overall.
A second report about IVF success rates is conducted by the Society for Assisted Reproductive Treatments (SART), an affiliate of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, and the primary organization of professionals dedicated to IVF in the United States. It releases an Annual Summary Report of SART-member clinics, which amounts to almost 90% of ART clinics in the United States.
SART is well-known for its in-depth look at specific categories for live births. For example, they break down data by singleton births (the birth of one child per IVF cycle) and non-singleton births (twins, triplets, or higher-order multiples). It also focuses on the age ranges of people undergoing IVF. Maternal age can greatly affect the success rate of IVF, as the older you are, the lower your chances of success.
How to Financially Prepare to Freeze Your Eggs
IVF Success Rates for Singleton Pregnancies
For singletons, here's the percentage of live births per intended egg retrieval in 2020 (based on preliminary data). It takes all embryo transfers into consideration, using the patient's own eggs.
- Under 35 years old: 41.6%
- 35–37 years old: 29.6%
- 38–40 years old: 18.7%
- 41–42 years old: 9.2%
- Older than 42 years old: 2.8%
IVF Success Rates for All Pregnancies
Here's the percentage of all live births, including for non-singletons, in 2020 using the patient's own eggs. SART breaks down data this way because there's often a preference for singleton births, which are generally safer for both parent and baby.
- Under 35 years old: 44.6%
- 35–37 years old: 31.5%
- 38–40 years old: 19.9%
- 41–42 years old: 9.7%
- Older than 42 years old: 2.9%
The SART report breaks down the data even further. For example, you can see IVF success rates for first embryo transfers and second/subsequent embryo transfers. You can also see data about embryo transfers with a patient's eggs, donor eggs (fresh, frozen, or thawed), or donated embryos.
Generally, the more times you've tried IVF, the lower the success rate. However, many people still conceive on second or subsequent IVF cycles, particularly those who have had previous successful pregnancies. Using a donor egg or embryo can also improve your chances of pregnancy.
How IVF Pregnancy Differs From Non-IVF Pregnancy
How to Increase Your Chances of IVF Success
If you're looking to increase your chances of conceiving during IVF, there are steps you can take to improve your chances of success. Here are eight tips from fertility doctors.
1. Maintain a healthy weight
"Maintaining a healthy weight is extremely important in fertility and IVF," says Linnea Goodman, MD, an OB-GYN at UVA Health in Charlottesville, Virginia. "We know that being obese (BMI >35) and underweight (BMI <19) affects IVF success rates. Being overweight also makes monitoring the ovaries during IVF more difficult and increases the chance of complications during egg retrievals."
Getting to a healthy weight for your body can be achieved through changes in diet and activity, and with professional help if necessary. "Working with dietitians and in some programs enrolling in a cardiometabolic weight loss program, can help achieve these goals," says Zaraq Khan, MD, a reproductive endocrinologist and OB-GYN at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.
Additionally, some hormonal imbalances that can lead to infertility can also lead to weight problems such thyroid issues and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Therefore, if you're struggling with your weight, be sure to have your hormones screened and get treated (if possible) to make getting to a healthier weight easier, and therefore, making it easier to conceive.
Editor's Note
Body mass index (BMI)has long been seen as the ultimate measure of physical health, but it can be inaccurate and problematic. While some doctors still use BMI, it’s important to remember that it’s a dated, biased measure that doesn’t account for several factors, such as ethnic descent, race, gender, and age.
2. Optimize sperm health
To improve sperm health, avoid using car seat heaters or hot tubs, which can significantly reduce sperm because of the high heat exposure. You also should drop unhealthy habits like smoking, THC consumption, or drinking too much. And if you want a bit of an edge, you could try wearing boxers over briefs. But this isn't going to make or break anyone's fertility.
"Use of multivitamins and maintaining optimal body weight...also could improve sperm quality," says Dr. Khan. "Under appropriate care, men can also be started on medications that can help boost sperm numbers and quality that can have a beneficial impact on IVF outcome. In certain cases, sperm aspirated directly from the testicl* over ejacul*te could also be beneficial. Involving a male infertility specialist for any form of abnormalities in sem*n analyses is key."
3. Partner with an excellent doctor and embryology laboratory
"Choosing an excellent reproductive endocrinologist is twofold: In addition to experience and commitment to evidence-based medicine, look for someone with whom you feel comfortable and connected. Your doctor will accompany you on this very emotional journey, and it is important for you to feel supported and heard," says Elizabeth Fino, MD, fertility specialist at NYU Langone Fertility Center. "Asking for recommendations from friends and family who know you best can help guide you to a knowledgeable physician with whom you feel comfortable, but also be sure to do your research."
In a world of online message boards and ratings, it can be difficult to determine credibility. "Be careful of online reviews—they are often completed by select patients who had an extreme experience for one reason or another and may not be universally applicable," says Dr. Fino. FertilityIQ offers a unique model that hones in on specific aspects of the experience after vetting patient reviews.
To find an embryology laboratory, look for a long history of exceptional outcomes. One source is the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology which details the clinic's volume and live birth rate.
4. Reduce your stress
"Basal stress levels can influence natural and assisted conception rates," says Dr. Khan. "Reducing stress troubles during an IVF stimulation cycle can be one of the hardest things to achieve for couples. Several reports suggest improvement of pregnancy outcomes with the use of acupuncture and other stress relieving techniques, like enrolling in mind-body programs, stress reduction, and resilience training workshops."
5. Quit smoking and vaping
"Smoking can drastically decrease the chance of success while doing IVF because it affects egg and sperm quality," says Dr. Khan. But you don't have to do it on your own.
Quitting smoking is not an easy task and often requires a great deal of personal as well as professional support. Try to involve your friends and family to help encourage you in the process. For smoking cessation, structured programs and/or pharmacological assistance have proven to be most successful," says Dr. Fino.
6. Look into taking supplements
"DHEA and CoQ10 are supplements that have shown some promise in association with an increase in egg quantity and quality," says Dr. Fino. "Talk to your doctor to see if he or she recommends them for you." Taking a multivitamin may also be helpful, adds Dr. Khan.
7. Ensure you have adequate levels of vitamin D
"Over 40% of individuals are deficient in vitamin D, and there is emerging data on its association with infertility and worse IVF outcomes," says Tarun Jain, MD, medical director of Northwestern Medicine Fertility and Reproductive Medicine Oakbrook Terrace in Chicago. "Ask your doctor to check your vitamin D level, and consider taking a vitamin D supplement if it's low."
8. Focus on persistence and patience
"Many patients require more than one cycle of IVF to achieve an embryo for transfer and outcomes may vary significantly from cycle to cycle," says Shannon DeVore, MD, an OB-GYN at NYU Langone Fertility Center in New York City.
"If your first cycle wasn't successful, your doctor may be able to adjust the medications to optimize a subsequent one. Other times, it just means keeping at it. Try not to be discouraged by suboptimal outcomes and setbacks. The single biggest thing to remember is that most (or all) of this is out of your control. Nobody likes lack of control, but sometimes letting go can help you endure the journey. Take care of yourself and don't blame yourself when things don't go well. You are not alone; it often takes a village to build a family," says Dr. DeVore.
Key Takeaways
Your doctor can advise you on your unique odds of conception using IVF. However, general rates of IVF success range from over 40% to under 5%, depending on individual factors like age and type of infertility. Often, there are steps you can take to improve your odds of success, such as making lifestyle changes like quitting smoking and maintaining a healthy weight. Consult with a fertility specialist to answer your questions and address your specific needs.
