IVF may be needed when you have been trying unprotected, regular sex without success for over 12 months (if you are under 35) or for six months (if you are above 35). When conservative or less-invasive treatment options, such as hormonal medication and IUI, fail, IVF might be the safest bet.
When Should You Consider IVF Treatment?
Nothing can be more disheartening for couples trying to have a baby for months, or even years, without success. If you have been looking for fertility treatments, you may have come across “In-Vitro fertilization” (IVF). IVF, in simple terms, is a modern assisted reproductive procedure where sperm and eggs are combined outside your uterus, in a well-regulated and controlled environment.
IVF isn’t the first line of treatment for all infertile couples. In fact, an IVF specialist in Mulund recommends it when conservative treatments are ineffective, or you have severe male-factor infertility, blocked fallopian tubes, endometriosis, etc.
When Exactly Should You Go For IVF?
The goal is not to rush into IVF, but to make a smart, effective decision. That said, if IVF is truly needed for your case, delaying the treatment can negatively affect its success rate.
Remember, the success of IVF, or any fertility treatment, is greatly influenced by maternal age. Let’s see when IVF might be a sensible choice.
Your Age
The biggest factor that affects a woman’s fertility is her age. With advancing maternal age, the success rate of fertility treatments declines. And IVF is not an exception. For women under 35 years, experts recommend fertility evaluation if you have been unable to conceive after 12 months of regular, unprotected intercourse.
For women above 35, gynecologists recommend a consultation if you can’t get pregnant after six months of unprotected intercourse. If you are above 40 years, it’s advisable to see a fertility specialist as soon as possible.
Tubal Blockage
IVF can be a viable treatment option for women with tubal blockage. If both your tubes are severely damaged or blocked due to scar tissue, endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, or previous ectopic pregnancy, IVF can be your best decision, as it bypasses the tubes completely.
Severe Male-Factor Infertility
IVF may be appropriate for men with low sperm count or poor motility. Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI), a small step in IVF, allows fertility specialists to select the healthiest sperm and inject it directly into the center of the egg to maximize fertilization chances.
Unexplained Infertility
If all your test results are normal and you are still struggling to conceive, a fertility expert may suggest less-invasive procedures, such as medication to stimulate your ovaries to mature multiple eggs or Intrauterine Insemination (IUI), where sperm cells are directly placed into the woman’s uterus. When these fail, IVF treatment in Mulund might be your best bet.
Fertility Preservation Before Cancer Treatment
Ongoing chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and other cancer treatments can affect your fertility. If you want pregnancy in the future, you can choose to freeze your eggs or embryos. The gametes can be thawed, fertilized in a petri dish, and transferred into your uterus once you have recovered fully and are in good shape to get pregnant.