What are next steps after failed IVF?

Give yourself time first. Four to six weeks before starting again is common, and the emotional recovery often takes longer than the physical one. There is no medical prize for rushing. Ask for a proper debrief with your specialist. This is the single most useful step, and many people do not realise they can request it. You want to understand what actually happened at each stage: how many eggs were collected, how many fertilised, how the embryos developed by day 3 and day 5, the quality grading, and how your lining responded. That pattern usually points to what to change. Investigations that may be worth considering, depending on that debrief: Hysteroscopy, if the uterine cavity has not been directly examined. Endometrial biopsy for chronic endometritis if there is a suggestion of inflammation. Sperm DNA fragmentation, particularly with recurrent failure or poor embryo development. PGT-A in selected cases — discuss carefully, as it does not improve the chance of a baby for everyone. Be cautious about the ERA test. It is often suggested after a failed cycle, but the UK regulator rates it red — no good evidence it improves live births — and one study found lower live birth rates in women who used it after a previous failure. Changes to the protocol itself — a different stimulation approach, adjusting the trigger, or moving to a frozen rather than fresh transfer — are frequently more valuable than adding tests.