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The success of IVF can be predicted
Last reviewed: 16.10.2021
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It turns out that the probability of a positive result of IVF directly depends on the content of stress hormone in the female body. The level of this hormone can be traced by making an analysis of female hair. This was reported by experts from the British University of Nottingham. The results of the study are presented in the journal Psychoneuroendocrinology. Scientists say that an elevated cortisol level lowers the chances of successful fertilization by about 1/4. IVF is one of the most effective ways to conceive a child for couples suffering from infertility. This method is currently considered the most popular and widespread.
The procedure is quite expensive. However, it is impossible to predict its effectiveness in advance: too many factors influence the success of IVF. This refers to the age of the woman, her weight, and the presence of other diseases in the body. Nevertheless, both earlier and now scientists attribute a decrease in the success of the procedure to the influence of any kind of stress. "Stressful marker" - cortisol - this is an accurate indicator of the presence of stress. Specialists have been trying for many years to understand the significance of this hormone for all stages of fertilization. In particular, now they tried to connect the amount of cortisol with the percentage of successful IVF procedure. Dr. Kavita Vedara has tried all the most probable ways to measure the level of stress hormone in women: these were blood, urine, saliva, and hair research.
The professor eventually chose hair, as they demonstrate the hormone content in the body not only at the time of the analysis, but also in the last few months. Doctors conducted a small experiment in which 135 women participated in the protocol for in vitro fertilization. All women were treated at the same medical center between the end of 2012 and the beginning of 2014. Of all the 135 women, only 60% successfully became pregnant - 81 patients. Physicians found a clear relationship between the content of cortisol in the saliva fluid and hair and the success or failure of the fertilization procedure. It was proved: with a high level of stress hormone, the success rate of the procedure decreased by an average of 27%. "We understand that the success of in vitro fertilization is affected by a number of factors, and not all of them are fully investigated. Doctors are interested in determining the chances of a woman getting pregnant after IVF, because this procedure is not only complicated, but also has a high cost.
Probably, the artificial effect on the cortisol content in the blood during the period of the IVF protocol will help to increase these chances, "one of its leaders, Dr. Adam Massey, comments on the results of the experiment. Scientists admit that not only stress prevents successful conception - it is necessary to pay attention to all possible factors. But the received indicator of 27% is impressive and gives a lot of reasons for thinking. While the research is not finished, but physicians already recommend their patients to avoid stress situations whenever possible, not only during, but also before the period of preparation for IVF.