IVF success higher after two rounds

Researchers have found that couples' in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) success is dependent upon the number of cycles the woman undergoes.

Writing in the journal Fertility and Sterility, researchers from the University of Western Australia said IVF success could be improved if couples just keep trying, reports Reuters.

Between 1992 and 2002, around half of more than 5,000 women who began IVF treatment had two or fewer cycles.

This meant the chance of a woman in her 20s giving birth was 58 per cent, compared to 22 per cent for women aged between 40 and 44.

However, increasing the number of cycles could boost success, the researchers estimated.

Researcher Louise Stewart said: "The results of this study suggest that IVF has the potential to be more effective if women, especially those over 35, are able to undertake more than the usual two to three cycles," reports the news provider.