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Worried about recurrent implantation failure? Know more

Implantation failure can be disheartening, after the hard work and emotions that are invested in an IVF cycle. Recurrent implantation failure that occurs time after time with every cycle leads to intended parents eventually giving up or being hesitant to put more of their emotions into further IVF cycles. In many cases, everything may go smoothly, right from the egg retrieval to fertilization, along with the health of the mother and probability of implantation also determined to be high. However, the pregnancy never seems to ‘stick’. If you and your partner are planning to undergo IVF treatment, here’s everything you should know about recurrent implantation failure in IVF.

What is recurrent implantation failure?

Recurrent implantation failure is characterized by four or more failed implantations, despite success in the previous steps. After the egg is fertilized by the sperm in the lab, the fertilized embryo is transferred into the womb of the mother for implantation, so she can carry the pregnancy to term. The embryo essentially attaches itself to the uterine wall, after which pregnancy is declared. Implantation failure occurs when this step is not completed, causing the IVF cycle to fail.

What are the causes of recurrent implantation failure?

During your initial examination, the doctor may inform you of any factors that could put the IVF cycle at risk of failing. There are a number of recurrent implantation failure reasons.

• Quality of eggs – Eggs of a lower quality automatically decrease the probability of success. This is particularly prevalent in older women, as the quality of eggs decreases with age. Additionally, women with PCOD or other infertility issues may have a lower quality of eggs.

• Uterine receptivity issue – Problems such as anatomical defects, altered position of the uterus, hormone imbalance, or endometrial lining defects can cause implantation failure.  This causes IVF cycles to fail until the exact condition is diagnosed and treated.

• Genetic defects – Chromosomal abnormalities in the embryo may cause implantation to fail during IVF treatment. Genetic issues can be detected with PGD and PGs testing, which screen the embryos for a variety of genetic diseases, to implant the healthiest embryo.

• Lifestyle factors – Overweight or underweight women are typically at a higher risk of undergoing IVF failure. Additionally, chronic alcoholism or tobacco use can also hamper fertility and the success of IVF treatments.

• Male factors – Genetic abnormalities in the DNA of the sperm can cause damage and sperm fragmentation, leading to recurrent implantation failure. Another reason could be chromosomal abnormalities that hinder implantation in the womb.

What are the recurrent implantation failure treatments?

In cases where issues such as endometriosis, weight, etc. are the causes for failed implantation, correcting these problems can help in achieving success after recurrent implantation failure. An ERA (Endometrial Receptivity Array) test is also helpful in determining if the endometrial lining is prepared to accept the embryo. The test also helps determine the optimal time period for implantation, to increase the chances of success.

Recurrent Implantation Failure does not necessarily mean the end of your dreams of parenthood. Rather, it indicates an issue that must be treated in order to overcome conditions and increase the success of your next IVF cycle. A thorough checkup by a fertility expert in the best fertility clinic helps diagnose the recurrent implantation failure causes, after which subsequent treatment can be planned. Your fertility expert also guides you through your options after recurrent implantation failure.

Shrikhande Fertility Clinic is a leading fertility center in Nagpur, offering world-class fertility treatments such as IVF and IUI, among others. Our clinic houses a blend of industry experts and cutting-edge technology that promotes safe treatments, allowing maximum couples to achieve their dreams of parenthood.

Tags: Fertility Clinic in Nagpur, Infertility Treatment, recurrent implantation failure