Medically Reviewed By Experts Panel
Infertility is a global problem and the percentage of infertility is increasing. It is a medical condition characterized by the inability to conceive a child after a year of regular, unprotected intercourse. It can affect individuals of any gender and may be caused by various factors, including hormonal imbalances, reproductive organ issues, age-related factors, lifestyle choices, environmental factors or underlying medical conditions.
In recent years, there has been an increase in awareness and acceptance of infertility as a medical condition, leading to more individuals seeking advice and exploring treatment options. Awareness of IVF has also grown significantly, with more people becoming familiar with this assisted reproductive technology as a viable option for overcoming infertility. Advancements in medical technology increased access to information, and destigmatization of infertility have all contributed to greater awareness of IVF. Since 1978 IVF technology has come a long way and has helped millions of people worldwide achieve their dream of parenthood, still there are many misconceptions about IVF. To address these myths about IVF we had a discussion with gynecologists and leading fertility experts to help people understand and make informed decisions. Following is the listing of some most common myths and answers to these by leading fertility experts and gynecologists. Mythbusting IVF :
IVF Myth 1: For fertilization do they use our egg and sperm?
By and large people just know the word IVF but do not know exactly how IVF process is carried out and hence, this is the most common doubt in mind.
In IVF, a patient’s own eggs are created. Doctors try to develop more than one egg through some injections inside the ovaries and take out those eggs through transvaginal route under ultrasound guidance while patient is under anaesthesia and male partner delivers sperms and the egg and sperm are fused in the lab. This process of fertilization is done in the lab and by the combination of egg and sperm the embryo which is prepared is placed in the uterus.
So, as Dr Sunita Arora, an eminent gynaecologist from Delhi says, `in most of the cases IVF is carried out with the couple’s own egg and sperms. Only in some exceptional cases like poor egg quality one may have to borrow egg which is explained to the couple beforehand.’ Read this Blog in Hindi 10 common IVF misconceptions
IVF Myth 2: IVF means complete bed rest
There is a big myth that as soon as IVF is done, the patient has to go on bed rest immediately and she cannot do her routine work. This is a misconception. One has to be a little careful during IVF treatment. There is some intensive medication, especially in the initial 14 days, but one can continue one’s routine except for heavy exercises. Anyway, even in the case of normal pregnancy doctors advise not to do any strenuous exercises. So, there is no need for extra bed rest.
IVF Myth 3: IVF means twins or triplets (multiple births)
The third myth is that through IVF one gives birth to twins or triplets. Nowadays mostly single blastocyst, i.e., a day five embryo is transferred and when one embryo is inserted, most people have only one baby at a time. Sometimes it may happen that the embryo can divide, and one may end up giving birth to twins which is not under anyone’s control.
So, it is not a rule to always have twins or triplets. In most of the cases if a single embryo is inserted, then most of the people have only one baby.
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IVF Myth 4: Guarantee of 100 % success
Many patients expect 100 % success guarantee of IVF cycle. Way back in 1978 when the first IVF baby was born, success rate was just 1-2 %. But today the success rate has gone up to 50-60 % due to technological advances, better and effective medicines. Still sometimes one may have to go for 2-3 cycles of IVF.
IVF Myth 5: No need for IVF at a young age
Many patients think that if they are young, only 26 or 27 years old, they need not go for IVF or it’s the last option. What they fail to realize is that age is not the only cause of infertility. Besides age, there are many other factors that may be a hurdle in conceiving naturally. Apart from some health or medical conditions, there may be reproductive system-related issues like a blockage in the tube, low sperm count, and low sperm motility and these need to be diagnosed and treated. Doctors give medical treatment for three to six months, but if there is no difference then they advise going for IVF. If treatment is done early, then the success rate is good. So one should not think that if I am just 25 or 27 years old, I don’t need IVF.
Endometriosis, a disease in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus. It can cause severe pain in the pelvis and make it harder to get pregnant. As Dr. Nandita Palshetkar, a leading fertility expert says, “In endometriosis, the earlier you do IVF, the better will be the success rate.’’
IVF Myth 6: Fertility drugs used in IVF treatment may cause cancer
A lot of patients fear that fertility drugs may cause cancer. IVF medicines do not cause cancer. Currently, IVF technology has become more than 40 years old and whatever research has been done, there is no conclusive evidence that fertility drugs increase the risk of cancer.
IVF Myth 7: Will my baby be normal?
Many patients have an apprehension if the IVF baby will be a normal baby. There is no deformity or defect in the child. There is a 2% chance that it will have any defect, like one kidney is absent or there are six fingers in the hand.
IVF Myth 8: IVF drugs cause weight gain
Many people think that IVF drugs cause weight gain. No, there is a little water retention which goes away immediately.
IVF Myth 9: Will IVF cause menopause?
Many patients fear that in IVF treatment since eggs are extracted, this may cause menopause. This is a misconception. As Dr Rohan Palshetkar, a gynecologist from Mumbai says, “ no, we only have that month’s eggs; whatever your remaining eggs are, they will remain the same. We are sucking them out trans-vaginally, and not removing the ovaries by making any incision.’’
IVF Myth 10: If the first IVF cycle fails, all IVF cycles will fail
Manya times patients feel if first IVF of mine has failed then it means that all my IVFs cycles are going to fail. Absolutely not. If the first IVF cycle fails for whatever reason or sometimes there is no reason for this, it does not mean that the second cycle will fail. Your chances are good if your embryos are good, and your uterus is good.
In this blog we have tried to debunk some very common misconceptions about IVF and address concern related to it. Hope this helps and inspire the affected couples to take early steps. As these experts have said, IVF is a medical advancement; it’s a boon and people should not have phobia about it.
IVF Myth 11: IVF does not work for obese people?
Reality: IVF may be less effective for individuals who are obese. Obesity is linked to various reproductive challenges such as hormonal imbalances, lower egg quality, and reduced implantation rates. Research indicates that a higher body mass index (BMI) can decrease IVF success rates, likely due to difficulties in stimulating the ovaries and retrieving viable eggs.
IVF Myth 12: IVF leads to premature delivery and low birth weight?
Reality: The belief that IVF leads to premature delivery and lower birth rates is partly a myth. While IVF pregnancies can have a slightly higher risk of premature delivery than natural pregnancies, advancements in medical technology and procedures have significantly improved outcomes. This misconception stems from the higher occurrence of multiple births (twins or triplets) in IVF cases. However, the current practice of transferring just one embryo has greatly reduced this risk.
IVF Myth 13: IVF outcomes are not impacted by lifestyle?
Reality: IVF outcomes are indeed impacted by lifestyle. Factors such as diet, exercise, smoking, and alcohol consumption significantly influence the success rates of IVF. Poor lifestyle choices can lead to hormonal imbalances, lower egg and sperm quality, and reduced implantation rates. Focus on nutrition, monitor your weight, reduce stress, quit smoking and alcohol to improve reproductive health.
IVF Myth 14: IVF diminishes your ovarian reserve?
Reality: Yes, it is a misconception that IVF diminishes your ovarian reserve. IVF involves stimulating the ovaries to produce multiple eggs in a single cycle, but this does not deplete the overall ovarian reserve more than the natural process of ovulation. Women are born with a finite number of eggs, and each menstrual cycle recruits multiple eggs, with only one typically maturing and being released. Nothing happens to all of the other eggs that are in the ovaries for subsequent menstrual cycles. Therefore, IVF does not have a long-term impact on ovarian reserve.
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