Why IVF Sometimes Fails (It Isn’t Your Fault)
After an IVF cycle fails, it’s natural to search for answers.
You might be wondering if you did anything wrong or should’ve done something differently. We’ve had patients ask if it might’ve been a hot tub soak, a cup of coffee, or lack of exercise. The brain will always look for a reason (even when there isn’t one).
If you’re processing the news of a failed IVF cycle, know that it’s not your fault. Even in unassisted conception, implantation isn’t guaranteed. Pregnancy involves many factors — it can take multiple attempts for anyone.
Note: If you’ve had multiple consecutive attempts to conceive through IVF fail with no apparent reason, additional intervention may be necessary. Learn about recurrent implantation failure.
Why Did My IVF Cycle Fail?
Several variables influence the success of an IVF cycle. Maternal age, embryo quality, and lifestyle factors are just a few key ones.
When using euploid (genetically tested) embryos, reproductive endocrinologists typically expect about a 60-70% success rate per transfer. This means that roughly one in three cycles may not lead to pregnancy, even in perfect circumstances.
Common causes of IVF failure
A failed IVF transfer can happen for a variety of medical or biological reasons, some of which are beyond anyone’s control:
Embryo-related factors: Even when embryos are tested and considered “normal,” genetic screening isn’t 100% diagnostic. At best, it’s about 97-98% accurate. There could also be some abnormalities that are unknown and unable to be screened through genetic testing. Because of this, rare abnormalities can sometimes go undetected.
Uterine environment: Conditions such as chronic endometritis, endometriosis, or uterine polyps and fibroids can make it harder for an embryo to implant.
Autoimmune issues: Some autoimmune disorders can affect how your body responds to an embryo.
Timing issues: During IVF, there’s a specific period of time called the window of implantation (WOI) when your uterine lining is most ready to accept an embryo. While the standard protocol applies to many women, it isn't the ideal timing for everyone. An ERA test (Endometrial Receptivity Analysis) can help determine your individual WOI.
Sometimes there's no clear reason
IVF can still fail with good embryos and a receptive environment. Sometimes, despite doing everything right, there’s no explanation.
Like all fields of medicine, reproduction is a developing science — researchers learn more every day. We don’t yet have tests for every genetic or immunologic factor that could affect implantation. It’s frustrating, but it’s important to remember: You couldn’t have prevented this.
What Should I Do Next?
Don’t lose hope after a failed IVF transfer. Take a moment to regroup, and work with your doctor to decide on the right next step.
Process the news
IVF impacts everyone differently. You might feel sad, angry, numb, or unsure of what to do next. Give yourself time to absorb the news and talk with your partner or loved ones.
When you’re ready, start writing down your questions. You might ask your doctor:
What could have contributed to the outcome?
Are there tests or procedures I should repeat before trying again?
What are my options for the next cycle?
Schedule a follow-up appointment
The next step after a failed IVF cycle could be a new test or simply moving forward with your next embryo transfer.
Within a week or two, schedule a follow-up visit with your reproductive endocrinologist to review what happened and discuss what to do next — whether that’s re-evaluating your uterine lining, checking for polyps, or exploring an ERA test to guide your next transfer.
How Soon Should I Try Again After Failed IVF?
Generally, you can try again as soon as you feel ready.
There’s often no physical need to wait before starting your next IVF cycle. The right timing depends more on your emotional readiness than your body — take the time you need to process and return to treatment when it’s right for you.
Does This Mean It Will Be Hard To Become Pregnant?
Not necessarily. In fact, the opposite is often true. If you’ve been able to create healthy embryos, studies show that your overall chances of pregnancy are strong.
Data on IVF success rate after multiple transfers
A large-scale 2021 study analyzed over 4,000 women who underwent up to three single-embryo transfers. It found that “the sustained implantation rates of the first, second, and third FE-SET were 69.9%, 59.8%, and 60.3% per transfer, respectively.” It also found that the cumulative live birth rate after three transfers was 92.6%.
Simply put, by the time most patients reach their third IVF cycle, the success rate approaches 93%. Recurrent implantation failure is rare and unlikely to be the cause of someone's first or second failed IVF transfer.
This Isn’t the End of Your Journey
Every path to parenthood looks different, and yours is still unfolding.
Each IVF cycle gives your clinical team more insight into what your body needs, and many women go on to achieve a healthy pregnancy after a failed cycle. When you’re ready, schedule a follow-up with your IVF clinic to review your plan and take the next step that feels best for you.
Dr. Lina Akopians has helped many women and couples move forward after implantation failure to have healthy babies. To speak with her about your treatment options, request a consultation.