Today, IVF is the most popular method for those who have fertility problems. Factors such as high success rates and years of application offer the best solution for many.
Why is IVF done?
In vitro fertilization (IVF) is one of several techniques that help people with fertility problems have a baby. IVF treatment, which has been applied for many years and whose success rates have increased with the development of technology, is often the first choice of fertility doctors.
During IVF, eggs are removed from a woman’s ovaries and fertilized with sperm in a laboratory setting. In this process, some extra drugs and hormone treatments can be applied to get the highest efficiency by increasing the number of eggs produced monthly.
The fertilized egg, called an embryo, is then retransferred back to the woman’s uterus to grow and develop. IVF treatment in Turkey can be performed using your eggs and your partner’s sperm or eggs and sperm from donors.
Who can have IVF?
Who should have access to IVF on the NHS in England and Wales is recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) fertility guidelines.
According to these recommendations, women under the age of 43 who have been attempting to conceive through regular, unprotected sex for two years should consider IVF. Or, those who have undergone intrauterine insemination in at least six of their previous 12 cycles of artificial insemination (IUI).
Local integrated care boards (ICBs), who have the final say on who can receive NHS-funded IVF in England, may have stricter requirements than those suggested by NICE.
You might receive care at a private facility if you are not eligible for NHS therapy or if you choose to pay for IVF. One treatment cycle may cost £5,000 or more, though prices vary.
What is the IVF success rate?
The age of the woman receiving treatment and the underlying cause of her infertility have an impact on the success rate of IVF (if known).
A successful pregnancy is more likely to occur in younger women. IVF is typically not advised for women beyond the age of 42 because the likelihood of a successful pregnancy is thought to be quite low.
Percentage of IVF treatments resulting in live births in 2019:
- 32% of under 35 females
- 25% of females 35 to 37
- 19% of females aged 38 to 39,
- 11% of females 40 to 42
- 5% of women aged 43 to 44
- 4% of women over 44
These percentages are based on the number of embryos transferred for women utilizing their own eggs and their partner’s sperm. It should not be forgotten that keeping a healthy weight and abstaining from caffeine, alcohol, and smoking while undergoing treatment will improve your chances of becoming pregnant with IVF.
What are the risks of IVF treatment?
IVF may not always result in pregnancy. Due to the fact that it differs from person to person, it can be a difficult procedure on both a physical and emotional level. To help you through the process, it is advised that you keep in close contact with your IVF doctor.
Additional health risks include the following:
- During treatment, medicines may have unwanted side effects like headaches and hot flashes.
- Multiple births (such as twins or triplets). This can be dangerous for both mother and children.
- Ectopic pregnancy. It refers to when the embryo implants in the fallopian tubes as opposed to the uterus.
- Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS). It is a disorder when the medications used during IVF cause the ovaries to overreact.
What are the alternatives to IVF?
Firstly, one such option involves ovulation induction medications. These drugs aim to enhance egg production, facilitating either timed intercourse or intrauterine insemination (IUI). Secondly, IUI is a technique where sperm is directly inserted into the uterus. This method helps in bypassing the cervix, thus increasing the likelihood of fertilization.
- Additionally, surgery may be considered to address specific reproductive issues. These can range from unblocking fallopian tubes to treating endometriosis. Such interventions can significantly improve fertility outcomes..
- Lastly, adoption presents a noble alternative, offering the opportunity to build a family without undergoing fertility treatments.
Moreover, each of these alternatives serves as a testament to the myriad paths available for those facing fertility challenges. Importantly, the choice of strategy should be tailored to the individual’s specific circumstances, always prioritizing personal health and well-being.
Source:
Boden, J., & Boden, J. (2007). When IVF treatment fails. Human fertility, 10(2), 93-98.
