Can Hormone Therapy Improve IVF Outcomes?
Of all the fertility treatments available, in vitro fertilization (IVF) is probably one of the most well-known options. Specifically, the therapy is among the most successful, even though the process can be complex. IVF is often a critical solution for people facing unexplained infertility or who struggle to conceive naturally. While most people understand that the process involves developing an embryo outside the body, not everyone understands that creating a fertilized egg is just part of the process. A woman’s hormone levels can impact whether the endometriosis will sustain implantation as well as a healthy pregnancy.
Why hormone levels matter
Hormone supplementation is an integral part of IVF since a core aspect involves boosting ovulation production so that a woman’s ovaries release multiple eggs to improve outcomes. However, ovulation stimulation isn’t the only time that hormone levels matter. Specifically, endometrial receptivity is a major factor. A woman’s endometrium, or uterine lining, needs to be an optimal thickness to enhance receptivity during the embryo transfer stage. If the lining is outside of the preferred range, implantation is less likely to occur or the pregnancy is more likely to end in miscarriage. Typically, poor endometrial thickness is linked with an imbalance in reproductive hormones.
Key reproductive hormones
While estrogen is a priority in IVF, other hormones are also crucial throughout the process to make the uterus a receptive space for an embryo and sustain a pregnancy. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is produced by the pituitary gland and works to not only regulate follicle growth in the ovaries, but the presence or absence of the hormone also dictates menstrual stages. Meanwhile, luteinizing hormone (LH) is directly responsible for triggering ovulation and triggering the release of other hormones intended to prepare the uterus for implantation.
Improving hormone levels
Because IVF requires precision and constant monitoring, a woman with imbalanced hormone levels will have supplementation as part of the overall conception plan. Keep in mind that some people might struggle with high FSH levels, which can be just as detrimental to fertility goals as having low estrogen or LH. Ideally, focusing on natural methods such as improving diet, incorporating exercise, and reducing stress levels would be the primary goal. However, for older women or people with a history of previous failed IVF cycles or pregnancies, hormone medications may be prescribed to help the body better regulate FSH or LH.
Planning ahead
Improving hormone levels can take time. As a result, a fertility specialist might delay an IVF cycle to focus on working with a woman to shift those levels into optimal ranges before beginning the fertility treatment. During this time, medications might be prescribed such as incorporating human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) to boost LH levels. Similarly, estrogen might be prescribed for a person with an FSH imbalance. Typically, estrogen supplementation is provided in the form of birth control pills or even patches.
Working towards better outcomes
While hormone levels alone aren’t sole predictors of IVF success, focusing on optimizing all aspects that influence IVF outcomes is prudent. Because fertility treatments require extensive diagnostics and monitoring, pinpointing and addressing hormone imbalances is a smart first step towards improving success rates. Especially for people with a history of miscarriages or failed fertility treatments, working to better regulate hormones is a critical step towards successfully getting pregnant.
