IVF After Multiple Failed Attempts: Here’s What You Can Do Next

A failed IVF cycle can be traumatizing for couples in Pakistan who have tried all invasive, non-invasive, lifestyle modifications, and other ways to get pregnant. And if the cycle fails more than twice, it feels like you’ve run out of options. 

This is particularly true for couples in Pakistan, where 21.9% of the male population and 22% of the female population are diagnosed with infertility. 

The worst part is that despite the high number of infertility cases, many people associate infertility with women. This is one of the reasons why couples opting for infertility treatment do it discreetly. In such cases, IVF looks like the only hope. 

If you are confused about why IVF fails, here’s all you need to know. 

Why IVF Fails: Common Causes 

IVF does not guarantee success, but many couples (who are otherwise healthy) successfully conceive with this modern fertility treatment. 

It’s important to identify the cause of a failed IVF cycle so you can plan the next steps accordingly. Here’s what causes IVF failure.

Poor Egg Quality

Women below 35 have the highest success chance with IVF. After the age of 40, the success rate declines to 10% or lower. 

With age, your egg count and quality diminish. It becomes challenging to harvest the most viable and healthiest eggs that will develop into a healthy embryo after fertilization. Poor egg quality means lower chances of implantation and increased risk of failed IVF.

Sperm Abnormalities

Like eggs, sperm quality can affect the success rate of IVF. If the sperm doesn’t swim well, is of abnormal shape, or has poor overall quality, it will affect embryo quality. 

Sadly, male-factor infertility is not widely discussed in Pakistan because of the cultural stigma. This leads to delayed treatment, which might result in a failed IVF cycle.

Genetic Issues in Embryo

Even if the sperm and egg are of good quality, it doesn’t always mean the resulting embryo will be viable. Sometimes, chromosomal defects in an embryo can lead to unsuccessful implantation or a miscarriage in early pregnancy. 

Uterine Environment Problems

If a woman’s uterus is not in a shape to accommodate a fetus, an IVF will fail repeatedly. Women with fibroids, uterine polyps, endometriosis, or a thin endometrial lining are at risk of failed IVF compared to women with a healthy uterus.

Poor Lab Standards

Fertility treatment is not an overnight treatment. A single cycle can take 4-6 weeks and require proper monitoring, timely injections, and a controlled environment where the embryo can grow, like in a woman’s womb. If the embryologists do not follow the right treatment protocols, the embryo might not develop properly. This can lead to IVF failure.

Emotional & Psychological Impact of Failed IVF

The decision to go through IVF itself is not easy. If the procedure fails, it can take a toll on your mental health, especially in Pakistan, where women experience societal pressure around their childbearing capabilities. 

Here’s what you can do to make IVF failure bearable.

Acknowledge Your Emotions

You might feel like you have lost, not just the money, but also your chance at becoming pregnant after a failed IVF cycle. 

Some women describe the feeling as similar to a miscarriage, even if they didn’t conceive in the first place. This can trigger stress and anxiety. The constant pressure of what went wrong or how to explain this to my family can add to the stress, making things worse. 

Communicate

The feeling of isolation after IVF failure is quite common. However, if you do not communicate your emotions, you will only make your physical and mental health worse, making it more difficult for your body to conceive. 

Talk it out. Let your partner know what you are feeling. Share it with your loved ones. This can help give you the mental strength needed to take the next steps.

Medical Options After Multiple IVF Failures 

You can have a successful IVF after failed attempts in Pakistan. Here is how.

Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT)

A common cause of a failed IVF is genetic or chromosomal defects in the embryo. With advanced testing solutions, like PGT, it’s possible to look inside the embryo and check it thoroughly for chromosomal issues that could lead to failed IVF. The test can help embryologists select healthy embryos with no visible defects.

AI in Embryo Selection

With your embryologist’s expertise and the unbiased suggestion of AI-powered tools, it’s possible to spot the healthiest embryo that offers the highest chances of pregnancy. 

The embryos are monitored round-the-clock with time-lapse incubators. They record the embryo’s growth pattern, structural features, and each development stage precisely. 

However, not every fertility center offers AI embryo selection in Pakistan. You need to look for specialized and top-rated fertility clinics that offer AI-powered embryo monitoring and time-lapse incubators for accurate grading.

Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET)

If you had a failed IVF, you can try frozen embryo transfer for the next cycle. Many fertility clinics preserve some embryos from the previous IVF cycle and freeze them for later use. 

These frozen embryos save you from the rigorous procedures of ovarian stimulation, egg retrieval, and fertilization in subsequent cycles. 

Sometimes, a fresh embryo transfer may not give positive results because the woman’s body is under stress from the hormonal medication. 

Frozen eggs can be thawed and transferred to your uterus later, when your hormones are balanced and your body is prepared for pregnancy.

Sperm Retrieval Techniques

In case of male-factor infertility, procedures like TESA, PESA, and Micro-TESE can be used to retrieve sperm directly from the epididymis or testicular tissues. 

The sperm is then mixed with the woman’s egg for fertilization. If natural fertilization fails, your embryologist might recommend Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI), an advanced medical procedure that injects sperm into the egg manually.

Lifestyle & Supportive Treatments 

Sometimes, small lifestyle changes can make a difference. Here’s what can help.

Focus on Diet and Supplements: A healthy, pregnancy-friendly diet can improve your egg/sperm quality and give you a better chance at having a healthy pregnancy. If diet alone doesn’t work, ask about supplements, such as folic acid, iron, calcium, and vitamin D.

Weight Management: A higher or lower BMI can interfere with your ability to conceive. You must eat well, stay active, and practice exercises to keep your weight in check.

Stress Reduction: Stress can affect your hormonal balance, which in turn can affect your IVF’s success rate. Try mindfulness, meditation, yoga, and counseling to manage stress.

Why the Australian Concept is the Right Choice After Failed IVF 

If you are looking for a reputable and ISO-certified fertility center in Pakistan, the Australian Concept is your best option. 

The center is equipped with world-class facilities and modern technology, including AI-powered embryo selection tools, to improve chances of pregnancy. 

With over 27 years of experience in IVF and other fertility treatments, we are proud to be recognized as the leading fertility hospital in Pakistan. Our embryologists and fertility specialists are internationally certified and experienced to deliver personalized IVF packages to our patients. 

We also believe that the process can be mentally exhausting for couples. If you ever struggle with stress, anxiety, or depression during or after IVF, we offer mental support through counseling. We’ll help and guide you through every step to make your fertility journey smoother.

Conclusion 

A failed IVF cycle doesn’t mean you can’t conceive. Many couples go on to have healthy pregnancies after multiple failed IVF cycles. 

See a fertility specialist in Pakistan and learn more about the causes of IVF failures and the treatment options that can help. If you are still unsure about how to proceed, book a free consultation with our IVF experts at our centers in Karachi, Islamabad, or Lahore and learn more about possible treatment options after failed IVF cycles.