IVF Success Calculator
Estimate IVF success rates based on age, diagnosis, embryo quality, and other factors.
Important Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates based on published statistics and should not replace consultation with your fertility specialist. Individual outcomes vary significantly based on factors not captured here. Your clinic can provide personalized success rate predictions based on your complete medical history.
Basic Information
Diagnosis
Previous History
Embryo & Transfer Details
Estimated Success Rate
55.6%
How You Compare
National IVF Success Rates by Age (Live Birth Rate)
Source: CDC/SART National Summary Reports (2022 data using patient's own eggs)
💡Important Considerations
- • Success rates vary significantly between clinics - research your specific clinic's rates
- • Multiple cycles may be needed - cumulative success rates improve with each attempt
- • This estimate is for live birth rate per embryo transfer, not per cycle started
- • Your fertility specialist can provide more accurate predictions based on your complete medical history
- • Lifestyle factors (BMI, smoking, alcohol) can also significantly impact success rates
Please Note: This calculator provides general estimates based on published medical literature and national statistics. It cannot account for all individual factors that influence IVF success. Success rates also vary considerably between fertility clinics. Always discuss your personal prognosis with your reproductive endocrinologist, who can evaluate your specific situation and provide tailored guidance.
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About This Calculator
Our IVF Success Calculator helps you estimate your chances of a successful IVF cycle based on key factors like age, diagnosis, embryo quality, and treatment protocols. In vitro fertilization (IVF) has helped millions of couples worldwide achieve their dream of parenthood, with over 8 million babies born through assisted reproductive technology since Louise Brown, the first "test tube baby," was born in 1978.
Understanding your potential IVF success rate is crucial for setting realistic expectations and making informed decisions about your fertility treatment journey. While national averages provide a baseline, your individual chances depend on a complex interplay of factors including the age of the egg provider (the single most important factor), your specific infertility diagnosis, ovarian reserve, embryo quality, and whether you`re using fresh or frozen embryos.
According to the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART) and the CDC`s most recent national data, IVF success rates have improved significantly over the past decade thanks to advances in embryo culture, genetic testing, and cryopreservation techniques. For women under 35 using their own eggs, the national average live birth rate per embryo transfer is approximately 49%, while rates decrease with age - dropping to around 26% for ages 38-40 and 5% for women 43 and older.
This calculator uses evidence-based factors to provide a personalized estimate, but remember that every patient is unique. Your fertility clinic can provide more precise predictions based on your complete medical history and their specific success rates. Use this tool as a starting point for understanding your options and having informed discussions with your reproductive endocrinologist.
Disclaimer: This calculator provides general estimates for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice. IVF success rates vary significantly between clinics and individual circumstances. Always consult with your fertility specialist for personalized guidance.
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How to Use the IVF Success Calculator
- 1**Enter the age of the egg provider**: Select the age range of the woman whose eggs will be used. This is the most significant factor affecting IVF success. If using donor eggs, this should be the donor`s age, not the recipient`s.
- 2**Indicate egg source**: Specify whether you`re using your own eggs or donor eggs. Donor eggs from younger women significantly increase success rates, especially for women over 40.
- 3**Enter previous IVF history**: If you`ve had previous IVF cycles, enter the number and outcomes. Prior success is a positive indicator, while multiple failed cycles may suggest underlying challenges.
- 4**Record previous pregnancy history**: Include any previous pregnancies (from any method) and live births. Prior pregnancies demonstrate your ability to conceive and carry a pregnancy.
- 5**Select your diagnosis**: Choose your primary infertility diagnosis from the dropdown. Different conditions have varying impacts on IVF success rates.
- 6**Enter AMH level if known**: If you`ve had AMH (Anti-Mullerian Hormone) testing, select your level. This indicates your ovarian reserve and expected egg retrieval count.
- 7**Specify embryo details**: If known, select the embryo stage (Day 3 or Day 5 blastocyst) and quality grade. Day 5 blastocysts with higher grades have better implantation rates.
- 8**Indicate PGT-A testing**: Preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidies (PGT-A) screens for chromosomal abnormalities, potentially improving success rates per transfer.
- 9**Choose transfer type**: Indicate whether you`ll have a fresh or frozen embryo transfer. Recent data shows slightly improved outcomes with frozen transfers (FET).
- 10**Review your results**: Your estimated success rate, comparison to national averages, and factors affecting your odds will be displayed.
Understanding IVF Success Rates: What the Numbers Mean
When discussing IVF success, it`s important to understand exactly what the statistics measure. Different metrics can paint very different pictures of your chances.
Key IVF Success Metrics
Live Birth Rate (LBR) The gold standard measure of IVF success - the percentage of cycles that result in a baby. This is what most patients ultimately care about, and what our calculator estimates.
Clinical Pregnancy Rate The percentage of cycles showing a gestational sac on ultrasound. This is higher than live birth rate because it includes pregnancies that may end in miscarriage.
Implantation Rate The percentage of transferred embryos that implant. With single embryo transfer becoming standard, this is increasingly similar to pregnancy rate.
Per Cycle vs. Cumulative Success Rates
| Metric | What It Measures | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Per Transfer | Success rate for a single embryo transfer | 40% per transfer |
| Per Cycle Started | Success rate including cycles cancelled before transfer | 35% per cycle |
| Cumulative | Success rate over multiple cycles (e.g., 3 cycles) | 70-80% cumulative |
Why Cumulative Rates Matter: If you have a 40% chance per cycle, your cumulative chances over multiple attempts are:
- After 1 cycle: 40%
- After 2 cycles: 64% (1 - 0.60 x 0.60)
- After 3 cycles: 78% (1 - 0.60 x 0.60 x 0.60)
This is why many clinics discuss treatment as a "course" of 2-3 cycles rather than single attempts.
Factors Affecting IVF Success: Age and Egg Quality
Age is the single most important factor determining IVF success, primarily because egg quality declines with age. Understanding this relationship is crucial for realistic expectations.
Why Age Matters So Much
Egg Quantity (Ovarian Reserve) Women are born with all the eggs they`ll ever have - approximately 1-2 million. By puberty, this drops to about 400,000, and continues declining. After 35, the decline accelerates significantly.
Egg Quality (Chromosomal Normalcy) More critically, the percentage of chromosomally normal (euploid) eggs decreases with age:
| Age | Approximate % of Chromosomally Normal Eggs |
|---|---|
| Under 35 | 60-70% |
| 35-37 | 50-60% |
| 38-40 | 35-45% |
| 41-42 | 20-30% |
| 43+ | 10-15% |
Chromosomally abnormal embryos are the primary cause of:
- Failed implantation
- Early miscarriage
- Certain genetic conditions
IVF Success Rates by Age (National Averages)
| Age Group | Live Birth Rate per Transfer | Live Birth Rate per Cycle Started |
|---|---|---|
| Under 35 | 49.4% | 41.4% |
| 35-37 | 39.0% | 31.9% |
| 38-40 | 26.8% | 21.5% |
| 41-42 | 14.2% | 10.8% |
| 43-44 | 5.0% | 3.4% |
| Over 44 | 1.5% | 0.8% |
Source: CDC/SART National Summary Report 2022
The Donor Egg Option
For women over 40 or those with diminished ovarian reserve, donor eggs offer significantly higher success rates:
- Donor egg cycles using eggs from women under 35 have success rates of 50-65%
- The recipient`s age has minimal impact on success when using donor eggs
- This option "resets" the age clock by using younger, healthier eggs
Embryo Quality and Grading: What Your Clinic Reports Mean
Embryo quality is a crucial factor in IVF success. Understanding how embryos are graded helps you interpret your clinic`s reports and have informed discussions with your doctor.
Day 3 Embryo Grading (Cleavage Stage)
Day 3 embryos are evaluated based on:
| Criteria | Excellent | Good | Fair | Poor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cell Number | 7-9 cells | 6 or 10 cells | 4-5 cells | <4 cells |
| Fragmentation | <10% | 10-25% | 25-35% | >35% |
| Symmetry | Equal cells | Mostly equal | Unequal | Very unequal |
Day 5 Blastocyst Grading (Gardner Scale)
Blastocysts are graded using three components:
1. Expansion (1-6)
- 1: Early blastocyst, cavity less than half the volume
- 2: Blastocyst, cavity more than half the volume
- 3: Full blastocyst, cavity fills embryo
- 4: Expanded blastocyst
- 5: Hatching blastocyst
- 6: Hatched blastocyst
2. Inner Cell Mass (ICM) - becomes the baby
- A: Tightly packed, many cells
- B: Loosely grouped, several cells
- C: Very few cells
3. Trophectoderm (TE) - becomes the placenta
- A: Many cells forming a cohesive layer
- B: Few cells forming a loose layer
- C: Very few large cells
Example: "4AA" means:
- 4 = Expanded blastocyst
- A = Excellent inner cell mass
- A = Excellent trophectoderm
Implantation Rates by Embryo Grade
| Blastocyst Grade | Approximate Implantation Rate |
|---|---|
| AA or AB | 50-65% |
| BA or BB | 40-50% |
| CA, CB, AC, BC | 25-35% |
| CC | 15-25% |
Important Note: Lower-grade embryos can still result in healthy pregnancies. Many "fair" quality embryos have produced perfectly healthy babies. Grading helps prioritize which embryos to transfer first but doesn`t determine the health of resulting children.
PGT-A Genetic Testing: Benefits and Considerations
Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidies (PGT-A), formerly known as PGS, is an increasingly popular option that tests embryos for chromosomal abnormalities before transfer.
What PGT-A Tests For
PGT-A screens all 23 chromosome pairs to identify:
- Aneuploidy: Wrong number of chromosomes (e.g., Down syndrome has an extra chromosome 21)
- Monosomy: Missing one chromosome
- Trisomy: Extra chromosome
Only chromosomally normal (euploid) embryos are transferred, while aneuploid embryos are not used.
Potential Benefits of PGT-A
| Benefit | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Higher implantation rate per transfer | Euploid embryos have ~60-70% implantation rates vs. ~40% without testing |
| Reduced miscarriage risk | Many early miscarriages are caused by chromosomal abnormalities |
| Fewer transfers needed | Higher success per transfer means reaching pregnancy sooner |
| Confident single embryo transfer | Reduces risk of twins while maintaining high success rates |
| Information value | Know if you have normal embryos available |
Who May Benefit Most from PGT-A
- Women 35 and older (higher aneuploidy rates)
- Patients with recurrent miscarriage
- Those with previous failed IVF cycles
- Anyone preferring single embryo transfer
- Patients wanting to minimize time to pregnancy
Important Considerations
Potential Drawbacks:
- Additional cost ($3,000-$6,000 per cycle)
- Some embryos are damaged during biopsy (1-2%)
- Results may be inconclusive (mosaicism)
- May reduce total number of embryos available for transfer
- Some clinics report similar cumulative success rates with vs. without testing
The Mosaicism Question: Some embryos have both normal and abnormal cells (mosaics). Management of mosaic embryos varies by clinic - some will transfer low-level mosaics, others won`t.
Success Rates with vs. Without PGT-A
| Metric | With PGT-A | Without PGT-A |
|---|---|---|
| Implantation rate per transfer | 60-70% | 40-50% |
| Miscarriage rate | 8-12% | 15-25% |
| Cumulative success (3 cycles) | ~75-85% | ~75-80% |
The per-transfer advantage of PGT-A is clear, but cumulative success rates are more similar because untested cycles transfer more embryos overall.
Fresh vs. Frozen Embryo Transfers: Which Is Better?
One of the most significant developments in IVF over the past decade has been the improvement in embryo freezing (vitrification) technology. This has sparked debate about fresh versus frozen embryo transfers.
Fresh Embryo Transfer (Fresh ET)
How It Works:
- Embryos transferred in the same cycle as egg retrieval
- Typically done 3-5 days after retrieval
- Uterus may be affected by stimulation medications
Advantages:
- Single treatment cycle
- Lower overall cost (no freezing/storage/thaw fees)
- Faster path to pregnancy attempt
- No concerns about embryo survival during freeze/thaw
Potential Disadvantages:
- High estrogen levels may affect endometrial receptivity
- Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) risk if transferring fresh
- Less time for genetic testing results
Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET)
How It Works:
- Embryos frozen after reaching blastocyst stage
- Transfer in a subsequent natural or medicated cycle
- Uterine lining prepared without stimulation drug effects
Advantages:
- Uterine lining potentially more receptive
- Time for comprehensive genetic testing
- Eliminates fresh transfer OHSS risk
- Allows for optimal timing
- Can accumulate embryos from multiple retrievals
Potential Disadvantages:
- Additional cycle required (more time)
- Freezing/storage/thaw costs
- Small risk of embryo not surviving thaw (~98% survive with vitrification)
What the Research Shows
Recent large studies have compared outcomes:
| Outcome | Fresh Transfer | Frozen Transfer |
|---|---|---|
| Live birth rate (general population) | 40-45% | 42-50% |
| Live birth rate (PCOS patients) | 42% | 49% |
| Ectopic pregnancy risk | 2.8% | 1.5% |
| Preeclampsia risk | 3-4% | 5-6% |
| Low birth weight | Lower risk | Slightly higher risk |
Current Recommendations
FET may be preferred for:
- Patients at high OHSS risk
- PCOS patients (research shows better outcomes)
- When using PGT-A (results need time)
- "Freeze-all" strategies becoming more common
Fresh transfer may be appropriate for:
- Good prognosis patients with moderate response
- Those wanting to minimize time/cost
- When few embryos are available
Most clinics now personalize the recommendation based on individual circumstances. The quality of modern vitrification means freezing no longer significantly compromises embryo survival or quality.
Improving Your IVF Success: Evidence-Based Strategies
While many factors affecting IVF success are beyond your control, research supports several strategies that may help optimize your chances.
Lifestyle Modifications
Weight Management (Evidence: Strong)
- BMI 20-24.9 associated with best outcomes
- Obesity (BMI >30) reduces success by 15-30%
- Underweight (BMI <18.5) also negatively impacts results
- Even 5-10% weight loss can improve outcomes for overweight patients
Smoking Cessation (Evidence: Strong)
- Smoking reduces IVF success by up to 50%
- Affects egg quality, ovarian reserve, and implantation
- Secondhand smoke exposure also harmful
- Stop at least 3 months before treatment
Alcohol and Caffeine (Evidence: Moderate)
- Heavy alcohol use (>4 drinks/week) associated with lower success
- Moderate caffeine (<200mg/day) appears safe
- Many clinics recommend minimizing both during treatment
Sleep (Evidence: Moderate)
- 7-8 hours associated with better outcomes than <6 or >9 hours
- Sleep disorders should be addressed
- Night shift work may negatively impact results
Supplements (Evidence Varies)
| Supplement | Evidence Level | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Prenatal vitamin with folic acid | Strong | Essential for all patients |
| CoQ10 | Moderate | May improve egg quality, especially over 35 |
| DHEA | Moderate | May help diminished ovarian reserve; prescription needed |
| Vitamin D | Moderate | Deficiency linked to lower success; test and correct |
| Omega-3 fatty acids | Limited | May improve embryo quality |
| Melatonin | Limited | Some studies show improved egg quality |
Important: Discuss all supplements with your doctor before starting.
Optimizing Your Treatment Protocol
Questions to Ask Your Doctor:
- Is this the right protocol for my diagnosis and history?
- Should we consider PGT-A testing?
- Fresh or frozen transfer - which is better for me?
- How many embryos should we transfer?
- Are there any adjunct therapies to consider?
Adjunct Therapies (Evidence Varies):
- Endometrial scratch: Some evidence for repeated implantation failure
- Acupuncture: Mixed evidence; may reduce stress
- Intralipids/immunotherapy: Limited evidence except specific conditions
- ERA testing: May help identify implantation window
Emotional and Mental Health
Managing Stress:
- Moderate stress doesn`t appear to reduce IVF success
- However, IVF can be extremely stressful
- Consider counseling, support groups, mind-body programs
- Some clinics offer integrated mental health support
Maintaining Realistic Expectations:
- Understand success may require multiple cycles
- Have a plan for various outcomes
- Consider financial and emotional limits in advance
- Support from partner and family is crucial
Pro Tips
- 💡Start IVF earlier rather than later if you know you`ll need it - age is the most significant factor affecting success, and even a year or two can make a meaningful difference, especially after 35.
- 💡Research your clinic thoroughly using SART and CDC data, but interpret the numbers carefully. A clinic with slightly lower success rates that accepts challenging cases may be better than one with higher rates that cherry-picks patients.
- 💡Consider banking embryos if you`re over 35 and aren`t ready for pregnancy yet. Freezing embryos preserves your current egg quality for future use.
- 💡Optimize your health before starting IVF. Achieving a healthy BMI, stopping smoking, limiting alcohol, and managing any chronic conditions can meaningfully improve your chances.
- 💡Ask about PGT-A genetic testing, especially if you`re over 37, have had previous miscarriages, or prefer single embryo transfer. It can improve success rates per transfer and reduce miscarriage risk.
- 💡Don`t underestimate the emotional toll of IVF. Consider joining support groups, working with a fertility counselor, or exploring mind-body programs designed for fertility patients.
- 💡Take CoQ10 supplements (after consulting your doctor) - research suggests it may improve egg quality, particularly for women over 35 or those with diminished ovarian reserve.
- 💡Discuss frozen vs. fresh embryo transfer with your doctor. Frozen transfers have become increasingly successful and may be better for certain patients, especially those at risk for OHSS.
- 💡Prepare financially for multiple cycles. While everyone hopes the first cycle works, having a plan for 2-3 cycles reduces financial stress and allows you to focus on treatment.
- 💡Ask about "freeze-all" strategies if you produce many eggs or are at risk for ovarian hyperstimulation. Freezing all embryos and transferring later may improve success rates.
- 💡Bring a support person to important appointments. IVF involves a lot of information, and having someone to help remember details and provide emotional support is invaluable.
- 💡Keep detailed records of each cycle - what protocol was used, how many eggs retrieved, fertilization rates, embryo quality, and outcomes. This information helps optimize future cycles.
Frequently Asked Questions
IVF success rates are highly age-dependent. For women under 35 using their own eggs, a "good" live birth rate per embryo transfer is 45-55%. For ages 35-37, 35-45% is considered good. For ages 38-40, rates of 25-35% represent strong performance, while for ages 41-42, 15-20% is above average. For women 43 and older, any success rate above 5-8% is noteworthy. When evaluating clinics, compare their rates to national averages for your age group. Also consider that clinics treating more difficult cases may have lower overall rates despite excellent care. Ask clinics about their patient population and whether they exclude certain patients from their statistics.
