Why IVF Success Rate Statistics can be Misleading

You may have read on our website or on our fertility discussion boards that SIRM takes issue with the current system for reporting IVF success rates. The problem is that the system can be manipulated to “enhance” reported birth rates by screening out those patients that are not as likely to be successful with In Vitro Fertilization. A prime example would be patients with poor or diminished ovarian reserve. Many doctors and clinics will NOT perform IVF on a couple with elevated FSH levels or too many previous IVF failures. By selecting only the “best” candidates, centers can effectively raise their IVF pregnancy rates as reported to SART / CDC.

Another method employed by some centers for screening out poor IVF treatment candidates is to routinely use Antagon and only “graduate” into an IVF cycle those who have at least 3-6 follicles and adequate estrogen levels. Those that don’t meet these criteria are diverted into an intrauterine insemination treatment and avoid the embryo transfer – thus keeping these low-success patients out of their SART IVF statistics.

At SIRM, we refuse to practice medicine in a way that discriminates against those who are more difficult cases, or who have failed IVF in the past. As a result, SIRM has become a hub for poor responders and women with high FSH who cannot get the help they deserve at other clinics. Our average patient is 36+ with 2 prior IVF cycles at other facilities. And we welcome these tough cases! To turn away a patient in order to manipulate our own success rates would be unethical. It contradicts our mission of “helping couples go from infertility to family.”

So, don’t believe everything you read about IVF statistics. As Mark Twain noted, “Figures often beguile me, particularly when I have the arranging of them myself; in which case the remark attributed to Disraeli would often apply with justice and force: ‘There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics.‘”

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8 Responses to “Why IVF Success Rate Statistics can be Misleading”

1. Patrick Baker says:

   March 18, 2013 at 5:12 pm

   I am a 34 yeah old military veteran from 2 services and I have no biological kids and my wife has 2 and also have both tubes tied. we are trying to seek more information on the services you offer and see what’s our best option on the budget we have. we are looking to get pregnant soon. I signed up to come to the seminar in dallas on march 30

   Reply
   • Geoffrey Sher says:

     March 18, 2013 at 6:45 pm

     I look forward to seeing you at the Dallas Seminar Patrick. I am certain you will get all the information you seek there.

     Please identify yourself to me then.

     Thanks!

     Geoff Sher

     Reply
     • Patrick Baker says:

       March 19, 2013 at 12:48 pm

       I will so we don’t have to wait for an invite if we already signed up or anything just come to the seminar if we already signed up

       Reply
       • Geoffrey Sher says:

         March 19, 2013 at 5:42 pm

         Copy!

         Geoff Sher

         Reply
2. Candace says:

   May 14, 2013 at 10:08 am

   I just turned 39 and my tubes have been tied/cut for 12 years. I was married for 10-years and my husband passed away in 2008 (we were considering having my tubal reversed before he passed). I have been blessed with another amazing man and we are hoping to have a child together. Would a mini-IVF be something we could consider? Do you do them at your Las Vegas facility? Thank you

   Reply
   • Geoffrey Sher says:

     May 14, 2013 at 11:43 am

     I do do them in LV and success rate is high. Consider calling 800-780-7437 or 702-699-7437 to arrange a Skype consultation (free of charge to those who reside in the United States or Canada) with me so we can discuss your case in detail.

     Geoff Sher

     Reply
3. Amanda says:

   May 19, 2013 at 8:37 am

   I am American and currently live in Italy. My husband and a have started 3 IVF treatments due to low AMH (<0.1). I am 35. The first cycle was cancelled on CD 8 due to appendicitis. The 2nd cycle with Menopur produced 6 poor quality eggs, and 2 poor quality embryos. My progesterone rose mid-treatment (CD 8), which probably led to poor egg quality. This time, I began with triptorelin for 2 days, then beginning gonal f 450. Due to strict protocols in Italy, I am not sure that I am receiving the best option. What are your thoughts on my current regimen? Do you work with patients living outside the US who only come to the USA for pickup and transfer?

   Thanks!

   Reply
   • Geoffrey Sher says:

     May 19, 2013 at 11:29 am

     The early rise in progesterone points to “premature Luteinization” and when this happens, 2 things are certain in my opinion: 1) A viable pregnancy will not occur in that cycle and 2) the protocol of stimulation needs to be re-examined and probably substantively modified (see below).

     Please go to the home page of this blog, http://www.IVFauthority.com. When you get there, look for a “search bar” in the upper right hand corner. Type the following subjects into the bar, click on it and it will take you to all the relevant articles posted there.

     1. “An Individualized Approach to Ovarian stimulation” (posted on November 22nd, 2010)

     2. “Ovarian Stimulation in IVF: Why is it important to down-regulate LH?”

     3. “Agonist/Antagonist Conversion Protocol”

     4. “Premature Luteinization”

     5. “Premature LH Surge”

     6. “Traveling for IVF from Out of State/Country– The Process at SIRM-Las Vegas” (posted on March, 21st 2012)

     7.“A personalized, stepwise approach to IVF at SIRM”; Parts 1 & 2 (posted March, 2012)

     8. “IVF success: Factors that influence outcome”

     9. “Staggered IVF”

     10.“Embryo Banking”

     11. “Egg Donation”

     I think I can help….So you should seriously consider calling 702-699-7437 to arrange a Skype consultation with me so we can discuss your case in detail

     Geoff Sher

     Reply