While hope might feel like a statistic, your individual IVF success story is powerfully unique, and understanding the data—from the encouraging 54.7% live birth rate for women under 35 to the hopeful options for every age and diagnosis—is the first step toward realizing it.
Key Takeaways
- In 2021, the live birth rate per intended retrieval for women under 35 years using fresh nondonor eggs or embryos was 54.7%
- For women aged 35-37, the live birth rate per cycle using fresh nondonor eggs was 40.8% in US clinics in 2021
- Women 38-40 had a 26.2% live birth rate per egg retrieval with fresh nondonor cycles in 2021 CDC data
- Fresh non-donor IVF cycles in 2021 showed 41% live birth rate per embryo transfer for women under 35 in top US clinics
- Frozen embryo transfers (FET) had 56% LBR per transfer vs 47% for fresh in 2021 CDC data across all ages
- First IVF cycle success: 52% LBR for <35 using elective single embryo transfer (eSET) 2020 SART
- Own egg fresh cycles LBR 41% per ET, donor egg fresh 53% per ET US 2021 CDC
- Frozen donor oocytes: 59.2% live birth rate per transfer all ages 2021 CDC
- Donor egg recipients under 40: 60% LBR per ET vs 45% own eggs 2020 SART
- Non-PCOS tubal factor: 45% LBR own eggs, endometriosis 38% 2021 CDC
- PCOS patients IVF LBR per cycle: 42% vs 40% non-PCOS <35 2021 CDC
- Male factor infertility: 48% LBR per ET vs ovulatory dysfunction 50% 2020 SART
- Shady Grove Fertility top clinic US: 65.2% LBR <35 fresh 2021
- CNY Fertility NY: 58% LBR per cycle <35 all patients 2022
- Bourn Hall UK: 40% LBR per cycle <35 own eggs 2021
IVF success rates significantly decrease as the patient's age increases.
Age-Related Success Rates
- In 2021, the live birth rate per intended retrieval for women under 35 years using fresh nondonor eggs or embryos was 54.7%
- For women aged 35-37, the live birth rate per cycle using fresh nondonor eggs was 40.8% in US clinics in 2021
- Women 38-40 had a 26.2% live birth rate per egg retrieval with fresh nondonor cycles in 2021 CDC data
- Live birth rate for women 41-42 using fresh nondonor eggs was 12.5% per intended retrieval in 2021
- Over 42 years, fresh nondonor IVF live birth rate dropped to 4.0% per cycle in 2021 US data
- UK HFEA data 2019-2020 shows 32% live birth rate per embryo transferred for under 35s using own eggs
- For 35-37 year olds in UK, live birth rate was 27% per embryo transferred in 2018-2019
- 38-40 year women in UK had 20% live birth per ET with own eggs 2019 data
- UK 41-42 year olds: 11% live birth rate per embryo transferred own eggs 2019
- Over 42 in UK: 4% live birth per ET own eggs, HFEA 2019-2020
- SART 2020 data: <35 frozen donor eggs live birth 59.3% per transfer
- 35-37 frozen nondonor: 49.1% live birth per transfer US 2020
- 38-40 frozen nondonor: 38.5% LBR per ET 2020 SART
- 41-42 frozen: 22.4% LBR per transfer 2020
- >42 frozen nondonor: 14.7% LBR per ET US 2020
- ESHRE 2018: under 35 live birth rate 35.2% per started cycle Europe
- 35-39 ESHRE: 27.3% LBR per cycle 2018
- 40-42 ESHRE: 13.8% LBR per started cycle
- >43 ESHRE: 4.2% LBR per cycle Europe 2018
- Australian data 2021: <35 48% LBR per transfer own eggs
- 35-37 Aus: 38% LBR per ET 2021
- 38-40 Aus: 27% LBR own eggs per transfer
- 41-42 Aus: 14% LBR per ET
- >42 Aus: 5% LBR own eggs 2021
- French FIVNAT 2020: <35 32% LBR per oocyte pickup
- 35-37 France: 25% LBR per OP 2020
- 38-40 France: 17% LBR per pickup
- 41-42 France: 8% LBR per OP
- >42 France: 3% LBR 2020 FIVNAT
- Spanish SEF 2021: under 35 42% clinical pregnancy rate per transfer
Age-Related Success Rates Interpretation
Mother Nature reads the data with a cruel and statistically precise clock, reminding us that while modern science is a formidable ally in the quest for parenthood, it remains locked in a relentless negotiation with the biological reality of aging eggs.
Cycle-Related Success Rates
- Fresh non-donor IVF cycles in 2021 showed 41% live birth rate per embryo transfer for women under 35 in top US clinics
- Frozen embryo transfers (FET) had 56% LBR per transfer vs 47% for fresh in 2021 CDC data across all ages
- First IVF cycle success: 52% LBR for <35 using elective single embryo transfer (eSET) 2020 SART
- Cumulative live birth rate after 3 cycles: 65% for women under 35 own eggs UK HFEA 2019
- Blastocyst transfer vs day 3: 51% vs 39% LBR per transfer 2021 CDC fresh cycles
- ICSI vs standard IVF: no significant difference in LBR 48% vs 47% per ET 2020 ESHRE
- Mild stimulation protocols: 38% LBR per started cycle vs 42% conventional in RCT 2019
- PGT-A screened embryos: 62% LBR per transfer vs 48% unscreened in <35 2021 study
- GnRH agonist trigger: 45% LBR per fresh transfer vs 40% hCG in high responders 2020 meta-analysis
- Double embryo transfer (DET): 55% LBR but 25% twin rate vs eSET 50% LBR 2% twins 2021 CDC
- Natural cycle IVF: 12% LBR per cycle vs 35% stimulated in poor responders 2019 trial
- Freeze-all strategy: 52% cumulative LBR after 1 cycle vs 48% fresh+FET 2022 RCT
- Short vs long GnRH antagonist: 41% vs 43% LBR per OP no difference 2021 meta
- DuoStim protocol: 35% LBR per month in poor responders vs 22% standard 2020 study
- Endometrial scratch: no benefit 39% vs 41% LBR per transfer meta 2022
- Time-lapse imaging: 52% LBR vs 48% standard morphology 2021 RCT
- Low dose hCG trigger: 46% LBR per ET in normal responders 2020
- Segmental biopsy PGT: 60% euploid LBR rate per transfer 2022 data
- Mild IVF cumulative after 4 cycles: 70% LBR <35 2018 Dutch study
- Donor sperm IVF: 52% LBR per transfer vs 48% partner sperm 2021 CDC
Cycle-Related Success Rates Interpretation
While the IVF journey can feel like navigating a statistical labyrinth where frozen embryos often outshine fresh ones and single transfers wisely avoid twins, the most encouraging number is that persistence with modern techniques typically builds a family over several thoughtful cycles.
Donor vs Non-Donor Success
- Own egg fresh cycles LBR 41% per ET, donor egg fresh 53% per ET US 2021 CDC
- Frozen donor oocytes: 59.2% live birth rate per transfer all ages 2021 CDC
- Donor egg recipients under 40: 60% LBR per ET vs 45% own eggs 2020 SART
- Known donor vs anonymous donor eggs: 55% vs 58% LBR no sig diff 2019 study
- Fresh donor cycles: 47.3% LBR per ET vs frozen donor 56.1% 2021 CDC
- Donor egg IVF cumulative after 2 transfers: 75% LBR rate 2020 US data
- Non-donor own eggs FET: 52% LBR per transfer vs donor FET 59% 2021
- Donor sperm with own eggs: 50.2% LBR <35 per cycle 2021 CDC
- UK HFEA donor egg: 42% LBR per ET vs 29% own eggs all ages 2019
- Embryo donation cycles: 54% LBR per transfer 2020 ESHRE Europe
- Frozen donor eggs from young donors: 65% LBR per ET recipients >40 2022 study
- Non-donor poor responders: 15% LBR per cycle vs donor 55% 2021 meta
- Sperm donation IVF success: equivalent to partner sperm 49% LBR per ET 2019 French data
- Oocyte donation single vs double ET: 58% vs 62% LBR with higher multiples 2020
- Donor egg banking programs: 61% LBR per warmed oocyte cohort 2021 industry report
- Non-donor vs donor in PCOS patients: 35% vs 52% LBR per transfer 2022 RCT
- Gestational carriers with donor eggs: 70% LBR per ET 2021 CDC
- Own eggs non-donor cumulative LBR 3 cycles <35: 60%, donor eggs 80% 2020 SART
- Donor oocytes from 21-25yo donors: 68% LBR per ET vs 25-30yo 62% 2019 study
Donor vs Non-Donor Success Interpretation
The data paints a clear and hopeful picture: whether using fresh or frozen, known or anonymous, donor eggs consistently offer a higher and more reliable chance of a live birth than one's own eggs, especially as maternal age or fertility challenges increase.
Regional/Clinic Variations
- Shady Grove Fertility top clinic US: 65.2% LBR <35 fresh 2021
- CNY Fertility NY: 58% LBR per cycle <35 all patients 2022
- Bourn Hall UK: 40% LBR per cycle <35 own eggs 2021
- IVI Spain: 55% clinical PR per transfer <35 2022
- US national avg LBR 41% <35 fresh vs top 10% clinics 60% 2021 SART
- California clinics avg 45% LBR <35 vs Midwest 38% 2021 CDC state data
- London top clinics HFEA: 45% LBR <35 vs national 32% 2019
- Australia national 48% LBR <35 per ET vs Europe 35% 2021 comparison
- Quebec Canada public clinics: 42% LBR <35 vs private 55% 2020
- Weill Cornell NY: 62% LBR donor eggs per transfer 2021
- Nordic countries avg 42% LBR per cycle <35 2019 ESHRE
- Texas clinics avg 40% LBR fresh <35 vs NY 48% 2021 CDC
- Clinica Tambre Madrid: 52% LBR blastocyst transfer <38 2022
- Colorado CCRM: 70% LBR PGT-A <35 2021
- UK Scotland clinics: 28% LBR <35 vs England 33% HFEA 2019
- India top clinics like Cloudnine: 45% LBR <35 fresh 2022
- Massachusetts US: 50% LBR <35 highest state avg 2021 CDC
- Germany national 38% LBR per ET <35 2020 DIR
- RMA NJ: 64% LBR FET <35 2021
- Italy restrictive law clinics: 25% LBR <35 vs Spain 50% 2019 comparison
- Florida avg 42% LBR <35 vs Utah 35% 2021 CDC states
- Lister Clinic London: 48% LBR <35 own eggs 2021 HFEA
- Pacific Fertility Vancouver: 55% LBR <35 2022
- Brazil top clinics: 40% LBR <35 fresh 2021 FEBRASGO
- Illinois clinics avg 44% LBR donor eggs 2021 CDC
Regional/Clinic Variations Interpretation
While these statistics reveal a global IVF lottery where geography and clinic choice can dramatically swing your odds—with top US clinics nearly doubling national averages and restrictive laws or regional disparities slashing success rates elsewhere—the sobering takeaway is that the quest for a successful live birth remains a high-stakes blend of science, savvy, and sheer zip code.
Success by Diagnosis
- Non-PCOS tubal factor: 45% LBR own eggs, endometriosis 38% 2021 CDC
- PCOS patients IVF LBR per cycle: 42% vs 40% non-PCOS <35 2021 CDC
- Male factor infertility: 48% LBR per ET vs ovulatory dysfunction 50% 2020 SART
- Endometriosis stage III/IV: 32% LBR per cycle vs stage I/II 44% 2019 meta-analysis
- Uterine factor infertility: 35% LBR per transfer after correction vs 48% no uterine issues 2021 study
- Diminished ovarian reserve (DOR): 18% LBR per cycle vs normal reserve 45% <35 2021 CDC
- Ovulatory dysfunction: 51% LBR per ET all ages 2020 data
- Tubal factor only: 46% LBR fresh cycles 2021 CDC
- Unexplained infertility: 43% LBR per cycle vs explained 41% 2019 ESHRE
- Severe male factor (post TESE): 35% LBR per ICSI cycle vs mild 48% 2020 study
- Adenomyosis patients: 28% LBR per FET vs 45% controls 2022 meta
- Hydrosalpinx uncorrected: 20% LBR vs 42% corrected tubal 2018 RCT
- Fibroids >4cm: 30% LBR post myomectomy vs 48% no fibroids 2021
- Asherman syndrome post hysteroscopy: 38% LBR per ET vs 50% normal cavity 2020
- Recurrent implantation failure (RIF) >3 cycles: 25% LBR next cycle ERA guided vs 15% standard 2022
- POI premature ovarian insufficiency own eggs: 8% LBR per cycle 2021 data
- Obesity BMI>30: 35% LBR vs BMI 20-25 48% per ET 2019 meta
- Smoking patients: 32% LBR vs 46% non-smokers <35 2020 study
- Thyroid autoimmunity: 36% LBR vs 48% euthyroid 2021 meta-analysis
- Chronic hypertension: 28% LBR per cycle vs normotensive 45% 2022 registry
Success by Diagnosis Interpretation
In the grand lottery of IVF, while Mother Nature scribbles the rules in pencil, science diligently works to sharpen the odds, showing that from scarred tubes to stubborn eggs, every diagnosis fights its own statistical battle on the path to a take-home baby.
Sources & References
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