IVF is the most common Assisted Reproductive procedure in today’s world and while the time taken for a successful IVF varies on a case-to-case basis, the entire procedure can take 2-3 weeks while recurring cycles can extend the time considerably. While your treating doctor will guide you with the best possible options to attain pregnancy, here are some factors that affect your chances of a successful IVF.

The Fertility Issue – Certain fertility issues make success with IVF less likely. It could be fibroid tumors, uterine abnormalities or an ovarian dysfunction. In these cases, the longer you wait to seek treatment, the less likely it will be successful. IVF, however, can very successfully overcome lots of fertility issues.

Previous Pregnancy – If you and your current partner have had a successful pregnancy in the past, it means you have a better chance of successful pregnancy with IVF than in cases which have experienced multiple miscarriages or other fertility issues.

Age – Women in every stage of reproductive life have been able to successfully use IVF. Although, success rates drop with age. From 24 to 34, women have the highest chances of success with IVF treatment (32.2%) because this is the age range when women are most fertile. By the time a woman reaches age 40, success rates drop to around 13.6%., you should still explore IVF options, as the success of treatment is highly dependent on your unique body and medical history.

Lifestyle Factors – Living a healthy lifestyle will create a conducive environment for an embryo. The same would include quitting smoking and drinking at least 3 months before the treatment begins. Also maintaining a healthy weight is also key to a successful IVF. Excess weight affects how the body processes hormones and fertility medications, regulates menstrual cycles, and can also adversely affect a successful pregnancy term. The good news is that you can control your lifestyle, and these factors can be actively improved.