How Hormone Levels Contribute to IVF Failure
Getting pregnant, whether natural or via assisted reproductive methods, and carrying an embryo to full term is a complex process. Factors such as stress levels, body weight, lifestyle choices, and underlying medical conditions may affect the ability of a woman to carry an embryo to term. Hormone levels are just one factor that determines the outcomes of an IVF implantation. Below are some ways hormone levels can contribute to IVF failure:
Hormone Imbalances
Hormone imbalances arise when the blood has too much or too little of particular hormones. Chronic stress, being overweight, some types of medication, or lifestyle choices such as nutrition intake may cause the imbalance. Hormonal imbalances affect the uterine lining, the quality of the eggs, and the development process of the fetus. Having abnormal levels of some hormones, such as cortisol, estrogen, progesterone, thyroid, prolactin, and follicle-stimulating hormones (FHS), can disrupt the reproductive cycle and hamper IVF success.
Endometrial Receptivity
The status of the endometrium, the uterus lining, is key for the success of the IVF process. The endometrium has different levels of hormones at various times of the reproductive cycle. A uterus thins or thickens, depending on the reproductive cycle of a woman. The menstrual cycle causes the uterine lining to be receptive or unreceptive for the implantation process. The endometrial lining is thick during the receptive period and thin in the unreceptive phase. If the implantation happens during the unreceptive phase when the endometrial lining is thin, it may cause an IVF failure.
Chronic Stress
Chronic stress causes an increase of cortisol, stress hormones in a person’s body. It is advisable for a woman undergoing IVF treatment to avoid stress that may hinder the implantation process. Dwelling on the implantation outcomes may increase cortisol hormone levels in the bloodstream. Cortisol is created by progesterone, and the embryo also needs the progesterone for healthy growth. The increase in cortisol reduces the progesterone levels available for the growth and development of the IVF embryo.
Ovarian Function
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), progesterone, and estrogen play a significant role in the health and development of an embryo. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal imbalance condition that affects some women in their reproductive years. An imbalance of PCOS hormones can increase the amount of androgen, male hormones, in a woman and interfere with the menstrual cycle. A woman with PCOS may have irregular menses or the periods may last long. The syndrome commonly hinders the success of the IVF process.
Thyroid Hormones Underactivity
Thyroid glands produce thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) to regulate the body’s growth, development, and metabolic rates. Thyroid hormones such as T3 and T4 regulate the reproductive organs, such as the ovaries and uterus. An underactive thyroid hormone may produce inadequate hormone levels to meet the various functions of the body. The abnormal levels of TSH may interfere with the implantation, growth, and development of the IVF embryo.
Progesterone Levels
Whenever a woman ovulates, the ovaries create corpus luteum, a temporary gland, to produce progesterone. Progesterone hormones affect the uterine lining readiness to host an IVF embryo to term. The endometrial lining needs a balance of hormones, so having too high or too low progesterone levels may increase the risk of a miscarriage after artificial fertilization.
You Can Avoid IVF Failure
Because many factors contribute to the success of a pregnancy, it is key for a woman to get a health and fertility screening prior to an IVF treatment to make sure all the factors necessary to carry the embryo to term are in perfect condition. Hormones play a central role in the conception process, and any imbalances can interfere with fertility. Talk with a fertility doctor to learn about medical interventions to avoid an IVF failure caused by hormone imbalances.Read more
