Antibiotic Therapy with IVF Treatment

When you’re going through IVF, every step matters. One element you might not expect to hear about is antibiotic therapy.

Antibiotics are sometimes prescribed before or during IVF to help protect against infection and create the healthiest possible environment for embryo implantation. While not every patient will need them, in some cases, they can make a meaningful difference in preparing your body for treatment and pregnancy.

In this article, we’ll explore why antibiotics may be used during IVF, which medications are most common, and what current research says about their role in supporting a successful cycle.

Prevent Infection During IVF:

So, why are antibiotics sometimes used during in vitro fertilization (IVF)?

While IVF is generally very safe, it does carry a small risk of infection for both partners.

• For men, infection can occur at the site of sperm retrieval and may complicate healing.
• For women, procedures like egg retrieval and embryo transfer can occasionally introduce bacteria into the reproductive tract, leading to pelvic infection.

Women with a history of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) or adnexal adhesions are at slightly higher risk of infection after egg retrieval.

However, the step that carries the most potential for infection is the embryo transfer itself. This is because the process involves gently passing a catheter through the cervix into the uterus, temporarily breaching the natural cervical mucus barrier and allowing bacteria from the lower genital tract a rare opportunity to travel upward.

Antibiotic therapy helps reduce these risks, protecting both your reproductive health and your chances of a successful implantation.

Research on Antibiotic Treatment with IVF:

Between January 2002 and April 2004, fertility specialist Dr. Attila Toth studied 52 couples who had previously experienced one or more failed IVF cycles.

His research examined the outcomes of new IVF cycles following antibiotic therapy. The results were compelling. In his conclusion, Dr. Toth noted that “a certain number of failures during IVF cycles are due to intrauterine infection that could affect the course of the pregnancy and/or the mode of delivery.”

At CNY Fertility, our goal is always to give you the best possible chance of conception and a successful cycle. For this reason, we may recommend antibiotic therapy as part of your treatment plan when it’s appropriate for your unique situation.

If you have questions about how antibiotic therapy might fit into your IVF care, please reach out to your nurse or physician during your next appointment, or call our office anytime. We’re always here to help guide and support you on your journey to parenthood.