30+ Reasons Why IVF May Fail – Expert Insights from IVF Specialist in Goa
IVF can be life-changing, but not every cycle succeeds. At IVF Angels Goa, under the guidance of Dr. Milind Colvalcar – Senior IVF & Fertility Specialist in Goa, we help couples understand the most common reasons for failed IVF, including poor egg quality, sperm health issues, implantation failure, and lifestyle factors. With years of expertise and advanced diagnostic tests, our clinic provides personalized solutions to improve your IVF success rate in Goa.
Experiencing a failed IVF cycle can feel heartbreaking and overwhelming. Many couples across Goa — from Panaji to Margao, Vasco to Mapusa, and even smaller towns like Ponda and Anjuna — come to IVF Angels Goa – Fertility Clinic seeking answers after one or more unsuccessful IVF attempts.
It’s important to know that IVF failure is not uncommon and can happen due to a wide variety of medical, biological, and lifestyle reasons. The good news is that modern reproductive medicine has advanced ways to identify these reasons and improve success rates in future attempts.
At IVF Angels, Dr. Milind Colvalcar (M.B.B.S., M.D., F.I.C.S.), an IVF Specialist in Goa with 20+ years of experience, guides couples through a detailed evaluation process. His expertise covers both female and male infertility factors, embryo science, advanced diagnostics, and personalized IVF planning.
In this article, Dr. Milind explains over 30 reasons why IVF may fail, grouped into categories for clarity. Understanding these causes is the first step toward turning IVF failure into success.
Q1. What is the most common reason for IVF failure in Goa? The most common reason for IVF failure is poor embryo quality. Even when eggs fertilize successfully, many embryos may not develop properly due to chromosomal abnormalities or poor cell division. These embryos often fail to implant in the uterus, leading to an unsuccessful IVF cycle. At IVF Angels Goa, advanced techniques like blastocyst culture and Preimplantation Genetic Screening (PGS) are used to select healthier embryos and reduce the risk of failure.
Q2. Can poor egg quality cause IVF to fail? Yes. Egg quality is a major determinant of IVF success. Women with diminished ovarian reserve, advanced maternal age, or lifestyle factors like smoking and stress may produce eggs with reduced genetic integrity. This leads to lower fertilization rates and higher chances of abnormal embryos. Treatments such as mild ovarian stimulation protocols, antioxidant therapy, and considering egg donation can help improve success in cases of poor egg quality.
Q3. Does sperm quality affect IVF success rates? Absolutely. Poor sperm motility, low count, or high DNA fragmentation can affect fertilization and embryo quality. Even with ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection), severe sperm abnormalities may reduce the chance of implantation. Men are often advised to undergo sperm DNA fragmentation tests, improve diet and lifestyle, and take supplements like CoQ10 or L-carnitine. In certain cases, advanced lab techniques like PICSI or IMSI can help select healthier sperm for better IVF outcomes.
Q4. How many IVF attempts are normal before success? Success in IVF often requires persistence. While some couples achieve pregnancy in their first attempt, many need 2–3 cycles before success. Globally, cumulative success rates improve significantly over multiple attempts, especially when embryos are cryopreserved and transferred in subsequent cycles. At IVF Angels Goa, doctors usually review failed cycles thoroughly before recommending the next attempt, adjusting protocols to improve outcomes.
Q5. What tests can identify reasons for failed IVF? Several diagnostic tests can reveal why IVF may have failed:
Karyotyping for chromosomal issues
Endometrial Receptivity Analysis (ERA) for implantation timing
Hysteroscopy to detect polyps, adhesions, or fibroids
Sperm DNA fragmentation test
Immunological tests for autoimmune factors These investigations help customize future cycles and improve chances of success.
Q6. Can IVF succeed after multiple failures in Goa? Yes. Even after 2–4 failed attempts, many couples go on to achieve pregnancy with the right strategy. Success depends on addressing underlying issues such as embryo quality, uterine receptivity, or sperm abnormalities. Options include donor eggs/sperm, advanced genetic screening, and changing stimulation protocols. At IVF Angels Goa, second opinions and tailored treatment plans often help couples succeed after repeated failures.
Q7. How can lifestyle changes improve IVF success rates? Lifestyle plays a critical role in reproductive health. Couples are advised to:
Maintain a healthy weight (BMI 19–25)
Eat a balanced, antioxidant-rich diet
Reduce alcohol, smoking, and caffeine
Manage stress through yoga/meditation
Ensure adequate sleep and exercise These changes can improve both egg and sperm quality, support implantation, and reduce miscarriage risks, ultimately enhancing IVF outcomes.
Dr. Milind Colvalcar is a senior IVF & Fertility Specialist in Goa with 20+ years of experience in assisted reproduction, minimally invasive fertility surgery, and women’s reproductive health.
As the Chief IVF Consultant at IVF Angels Goa since 2016, he has performed over 1,000 laparoscopic fertility surgeries and guided hundreds of couples—including women over 35—towards parenthood through IVF, ICSI, IUI, and advanced genetic embryo screening.
Compassionate, evidence-based, and patient-focused, Dr. Colvalcar is committed to helping couples achieve their dream of parenthood with ethical and world-class fertility care. Learn more on his IVF Angels profile or DrMilindColvalcar.com.
