3 Failed IVF Cycles: What Next?

If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve been through multiple IVF cycles without success. First—please take a moment to acknowledge how hard this is. Three failed IVF cycles can leave you feeling exhausted, heartbroken, and wondering if it’s time to give up.

But the journey isn’t over yet. At fertie, we believe knowledge is empowering. Understanding your options, next steps, and the questions to ask can help you move forward with clarity—and renewed hope.

Is It Normal to Have 3 Failed IVF Cycles?

You’re not alone. While we often hear success stories after one round, the reality is many people need multiple cycles before having a successful pregnancy.

• IVF success rates per cycle vary based on age, egg quality, and underlying fertility issues.

• For women under 35, the success rate is about 40–50% per cycle; for women over 40, it can be 10–20%.

• Repeated failures are emotionally devastating but don’t always mean it’s time to stop.

What Should You Do After 3 Failed IVF Cycles?

After three unsuccessful cycles, it’s time to take a step back, review everything, and explore new strategies.

1. Review Your IVF Protocol

Ask your clinic to do a detailed cycle review. Some key things to look at:

• Were your medication dosages optimal?

• Did your eggs mature as expected?

• Was fertilization successful?

• Were your embryos high quality?

• How was the embryo transfer process?

It may be time to adjust medications, switch to a different protocol, or explore new stimulation strategies.

2. Consider Additional Testing

If you haven’t already, more in-depth testing can uncover issues that standard IVF protocols don’t address:

• Endometrial Receptivity Analysis (ERA): Determines the best timing for embryo transfer.

• Immune testing: Checks for immune system factors that may interfere with implantation.

• Genetic screening (PGT-A): Looks at embryo genetics to ensure chromosomal normality.

• Hysteroscopy: A closer look at the uterus to rule out polyps, fibroids, or scar tissue.

3. Reevaluate Embryo Quality

If embryo quality is consistently low, it may be time to explore:

• ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection), if not already used

• Donor sperm or eggs, depending on where the challenges are

• Mitochondrial supplements (like CoQ10 or DHEA) to support egg quality before another round

4. Get a Second Opinion (or Switch Clinics)

Different clinics have different approaches and success rates.

• A fresh perspective can offer new ideas or protocols.

• Consider clinics that specialise in recurrent implantation failure (RIF) or repeated IVF failures.

👉 fertie can connect you to partner clinics that specialise in cases just like yours.

5. Explore Alternative Pathways

It might be time to explore other family-building options:

• Donor eggs or donor embryos

• Surrogacy (depending on medical factors)

• Adoption, if that aligns with your family goals

These decisions are deeply personal. There’s no “one right way” forward—only what’s right for you.

Personal Insight: What Helped Me After IVF Failures

“After three IVF cycles and no success, I felt stuck. But switching clinics and doing more testing uncovered a timing issue with my transfers. On my fourth cycle, I did an ERA test, adjusted my transfer day, and it worked. I’m so glad I kept going—but I also gave myself time to heal between cycles.”
— fertie Community Member

Final Thoughts

Three failed IVF cycles is more than most people talk about—and it’s okay to admit that it hurts. It can shake your confidence, make you question your body, and leave you feeling emotionally spent.

But it doesn’t mean the journey is over.

This may be the moment to regroup, to ask new questions, to seek fresh insight. From adjusting your protocol or switching clinics, to exploring testing you haven’t yet tried—there are still paths forward. And if the next step looks different than you imagined, that’s okay too. You get to define what your path looks like now.

👉 Inside our Fertility 101 course, we walk you through what to do after failed IVF—from second opinions and deeper testing, to emotional recovery and how to advocate for the care you deserve. Because no one should feel alone or stuck after giving so much.

You’ve come this far—and that strength counts. We’re here for whatever comes next.

You don’t have to figure this alone

Inside fertie, you’ll get:

• Expert-led courses to make informed decisions

• Private support from women on the same path

• Exclusive partner clinic perks & discounts

Disclaimer: Prices and treatment protocols vary by clinic and individual. Always consult with your fertility specialist for accurate, up-to-date pricing and guidance tailored to your situation.