A couple is considered infertile when they have been unable to conceive a child after a year.   When conservative treatments fail, physicians often recommend fertilizing the woman’s eggs outside the womb, a process known as in vitro fertilization (“IVF”).

IVF involves artificially stimulating egg production in a woman by use of fertility drugs.  The resulting eggs are then surgically removed from the woman’s ovaries, and combined with sperm in a laboratory.  The strongest, healthiest embryos are then re-inserted in the woman.

This procedure overcomes numerous blocks to fertility, but it comes at a steep price.  IVF can cost over $10,000 per cycle and is usually not covered by insurance.   Therefore, before a couple considers this expensive procedure, it is important that they discuss IVF success rates with their fertility expert.

IVF success rates vary based on the physical characteristics of the couple undergoing the procedure, and the treatment methods used by the physician.

Age is the most important predictor of IVF success rates because the quantity and quality of eggs produced reduces as the woman ages.  On the average, live births per cycle are approximately 30% for women under age 35, 25% up to age 38, 15-20% up until age 40, and under 10% over age 40.   The average implantation rate is 20%.

Other factors in IVF success rates are the condition of the woman’s uterus, the quality of her partner’s semen, the ability of the woman to tolerate the procedure itself, the number of embryos which can be transferred, and whether the woman has a luteal phase defect affecting implantation.

Although such factors make it difficult to compare clinics, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention publishes clinics' success rates on its website.   However, this information can be misleading.  Some clinics improve their success rate by refusing to accept older women into their programs.  Others implant multiple embryos to boost their statistics.

Each couple is unique, and, notwithstanding national averages, IVF success rates cannot be predicted by a chart.  It is important to discuss the likelihood of success with a trusted doctor.