What you should know about IVF treatment
As infertility has become a widespread problem, more and more people are relying on the medical technique called In Vitro Fertilization, or IVF. Couples tend to plan pregnancy at an advanced age, which is probably the main reason for infertility, along with the high incidence of sexually transmitted diseases. When a couple decides to undergo IVF treatment, they must be prepared for the difficult times ahead. Knowing a few things about IVF before you start the process can help you be prepared for the results.
Here are some things to know about IVF treatment before taking the plunge:
1. IVF success rate
There are several factors that determine the success rate of IVF, which can vary from one couple to another. These factors include age, lifestyle, and the cause of infertility for a particular couple. As a general rule, those under the age of 30 have a 50% chance of success, while for people over the age of 40, the chances can drop drastically to 20%. However, things are looking up as there has been a huge improvement in technology.
2. Fall in fertility in women
As a woman reaches the age of 35, her fertility begins to decline at an accelerated rate, both in terms of egg quantity and quality. A blood test called AMH can be done to find out the number of eggs produced in a woman, although it doesn’t reveal much about their quality.
3. Reduced fertility in men
Like women, men also experience a drop in fertility rate as they age. Although men continue to produce sperm, sperm quality deteriorates as they age forty and can lead to infertility-related problems. In addition, sperm from older men lack motility, quantity, and are prone to DNA damage, which can lead to birth defects in offspring.
4. It is better to act fast
Couples should not wait too long to seek help for suspected infertility. Those under 35 should see a specialist if they fail to conceive within 12 months of trying, while those over 35 should do so only after 6 months.
5. IVF Costs Are High on Financial and Emotional Factors
The IVF process is not only taxing on the pocket, but also affects physical and emotional health. It can cause symptoms like fatigue, mood swings, and headaches, not to mention the stress you have to endure while you wait for the outcome of the process.
6. It is better to freeze the eggs at a younger age
Women should freeze their eggs before they cross the age of 35 and use them for their first and subsequent pregnancies, as these eggs give them a better chance of IVF success.
7. Timing of IVF treatment
The proper timing of treatment according to the woman’s cycle plays a key role in the success of the IVF process. In addition, a pregnancy test should be performed only two weeks after the transfer of the embryo to the uterus.
8. Risks involved in IVF treatment
Although IVF is considered a safe process, around 1% of patients are susceptible to being affected by a condition called hyperstimulation of ovulation syndrome. It means that a woman produced too many eggs after hormone treatment. However, the use of low doses of drugs has minimized the risk.
9. Success is not guaranteed
Although IVF has revolutionized fertility treatments, it still offers no guarantees, as many other unexpected problems can hinder your success. Those couples who have failed on repeated attempts may ultimately have to settle without success. Counseling can help them face reality.
10. It is possible to complete the entire family with a single cycle
Innovation in medical science has made it possible for couples to complete the entire family with just one cycle. They can do this by having the first child in a cycle and freezing the embryos for subsequent pregnancies, to be used at later stages.
In general, it is now possible to tell if IVF is for a couple or not, as they can get to know in a few tries if they are likely to ever see a positive result.