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"Writing in The BMJ today, researchers describe a new calculator that has been developed to estimate the individualised chances of couples having a baby, both before and after first IVF treatment, and over multiple cycles.
Available online, the calculator considers specific characteristics of couples and treatment information to predict cumulative chances over up to six IVF (in vitro fertilisation) or ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection) cycles.
The researchers, led by David McLernon from the University of Aberdeen, explain it will aid "clinicians communicating to couples their personalised chances of a live birth over an entire package of IVF treatment."
They say it will also "help to shape couples' expectations allowing them to plan their treatments more efficiently and to prepare emotionally and financially."
The online tool is based on data from the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) which collects information on all licensed fertility treatments in the UK.
Data were analysed on 113,873 women, using their own eggs and partner's sperm in 184,269 complete cycles, who started IVF or ICSI treatment between 1999-2008.
Results show that independent of treatment the chances of a couple having a baby declined after the woman's age of 30, and decreased with increasing duration of infertility..."
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