Recurrent IVF failure what next?
It is very traumatic for couples to have repeated IVF failures and is emotionally and financially draining. It is also difficult for the clinician to manage this situation.
We need to systematically analyze the previous IVF data and understand what could be the possible reasons for recurrent IVF failure and possibly offer advanced investigations and treatments that are available for the couple.
In our clinic, we follow a specific protocol for couples with recurrent IVF failure that includes a thorough assessment of the couples' previous IVF treatment data followed by further advanced investigations in order to zero in on the potential cause of IVF failure. This includes a antibody, and infection testing.
One of the reasons for IVF treatment to fail is transferring the embryos either before or after the window of implantation. At SFC Endometrial receptivity assessment is done in patients with recurrent IVF failure to understand whether the endometrium is receptive or not and accordingly plan further frozen embryo transfers.
abnormal embryos can result in recurrent IVF failures. Testing the embryos before transferring can enhance a couple's chances of conception dramatically and at SFC with recurrent implantation failure and transfer only those embryos.
We definitely cannot underestimate the role of the sperm in IVF failure. All our male patients with recurrent IVF failure are tested for sperm DNA fragmentation. Patients with high sperm DNA fragmentation are referred to as our in-house andrologist for treatment. In patients with high DNA fragmentation not amenable to treatment we follow a specific protocol in the lab during ICSI which includes using TESA samples and special media to select the best possible sperm for ICSI to improve the couples' chances of conception.
We also understand that there is a subset of patients in whom the embryo acts like a foreign body resulting in the production of antibodies, thereby hampering the chances of the embryo from sticking to the womb layer. This group of patients can benefit from immunotherapy and our personal experience has been very positive in terms of patients' results with these treatments. Immunotherapy is still considered as empirical treatment, so these treatments are given only after detailed counseling and consent from couples.
Recurrent IVF failure couples require special attention and care during treatment and at SFC we try to enhance the chances of conception for the couple through a detailed workup and with advanced ART treatments.