• Bhubaneswar India
  • Contact+ 91-9938772605
  • Mon - Sat : 10:00AM - 6:00PM

Tag: IVF

Common Causes of Infertility and How IVF Can Help

Dr Chitra Ramamurthy, Senior Consultant- Fertility & IVF, Apollo Fertility JP Nagar, Bengaluru

Infertility affects millions of individuals and couples worldwide, posing significant challenges to achieving parenthood naturally. In such cases, In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) emerges as a viable treatment option, offering hope and a pathway to overcome various underlying causes of infertility.
Understanding the Causes of Infertility
Infertility can arise from a multitude of factors affecting both men and women:
Female Factors Leading to Infertility: Several factors can contribute to female infertility, necessitating the use of IVF:
Ovulation Disorders: Conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can disrupt regular ovulation, hindering conception.
Blocked or Damaged Fallopian Tubes: Scar tissue or blockages in the fallopian tubes can prevent the egg from meeting sperm, necessitating IVF to bypass this obstacle.
Endometriosis: This condition, where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus, can impair fertility by affecting egg quality or obstructing the fallopian tubes.
Advanced Maternal Age: As women age, the quality and quantity of eggs decline, making conception more challenging.
Male Factors Contributing to Infertility: Male infertility issues that may require IVF include:
Low Sperm Count or Poor Sperm Motility: Insufficient sperm count or sperm that are unable to swim effectively can impair natural conception.
Genetic Disorders: Certain genetic conditions affecting sperm production or function may necessitate the use of IVF with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).
Unexplained Infertility: In some cases, despite comprehensive testing, the cause of infertility remains unexplained. IVF provides a viable option by directly addressing fertilization and embryo development outside the body.
How IVF Helps Overcome Infertility: IVF offers several advantages in overcoming infertility:
Controlled Environment: By combining eggs and sperm in a controlled laboratory setting, IVF bypasses natural barriers to fertilization.
Tailored Treatment: IVF protocols can be customized to address specific infertility factors, optimizing the chances of successful conception.
Embryo Selection: The ability to select healthy embryos for transfer enhances the likelihood of achieving pregnancy.
Addressing Multiple Factors: IVF can address multiple infertility factors simultaneously, offering a comprehensive approach to treatment.
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) serves as a crucial treatment option for individuals and couples grappling with infertility due to various underlying causes. By providing a pathway to conception through advanced reproductive techniques, IVF continues to transform lives, offering hope and fulfilling dreams of parenthood for countless families worldwide.
This comprehensive approach not only addresses specific fertility challenges but also provides a controlled environment where conception can occur despite obstacles that may exist within the reproductive system.

Success Rates of IVF Treatments and Influencing Factors

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) has revolutionized fertility treatment, offering hope to millions of couples worldwide struggling to conceive naturally. Understanding the success rates of IVF treatments and the factors that influence these outcomes is crucial for individuals embarking on this journey towards parenthood.

 Understanding IVF Success Rates

 IVF success rates are typically measured by the percentage of cycles that result in a live birth. These rates can vary widely based on several factors, including:

 Age of the Woman: Age is one of the most significant factors influencing IVF success rates. Younger women generally have higher success rates due to better egg quality and higher chances of implantation.

 Cause of Infertility: The underlying cause of infertility, such as ovulation disorders, tubal factors, or male factor infertility, can impact IVF success. Some conditions may require additional treatments or adjustments to the IVF protocol.

  Previous Pregnancy History: Couples with a history of previous successful pregnancies generally have higher success rates in subsequent IVF cycles.

 Duration of Infertility: The length of time a couple has been trying to conceive naturally can also affect IVF success rates.
Lifestyle Factors: Factors such as body weight, smoking habits, alcohol consumption, and overall health can influence IVF outcomes.

 Success Rates Across Age Groups

 Women Under 35: For women under 35, the success rates per IVF cycle can range from 40% to 50%. This age group typically responds well to ovarian stimulation medications and has a higher likelihood of producing healthy embryos.

 Women 35-37: Success rates decrease slightly in this age group, with rates averaging around 35% per cycle. Egg quality and quantity decline gradually after age 35, impacting conception rates.

 Women 38-40: IVF success rates decline further for women in their late 30s to early 40s, ranging from 20% to 25% per cycle. Advanced maternal age is associated with lower ovarian reserve and higher risk of chromosomal abnormalities.

 Women Over 40: Women over 40 face the lowest success rates, typically around 10% to 15% per cycle. Fertility declines significantly with age, necessitating careful consideration of treatment options and expectations.

 Factors Influencing IVF Success

 Beyond age, several other factors can influence the success of an IVF cycle:

 Embryo Quality: The quality of embryos transferred during IVF plays a crucial role. High-quality embryos have a higher chance of implantation and successful pregnancy.

 Ovarian Reserve: The number and quality of a woman’s eggs, known as ovarian reserve, impact IVF success. Tests such as AMH (Anti-Mullerian Hormone) levels can assess ovarian reserve.

 Lifestyle Modifications: Making positive changes like maintaining a healthy weight, quitting smoking, reducing alcohol intake, and managing stress can improve IVF outcomes.

 Medical History: Underlying health conditions such as endometriosis, uterine abnormalities, or genetic disorders can affect IVF success rates and may require specialized treatment approaches.

 While IVF offers a promising option for couples facing infertility, success rates can vary significantly based on age, underlying health conditions, and individual factors. Understanding these factors and working closely with fertility specialists can help optimize IVF outcomes and increase the chances of achieving a successful pregnancy.

 By leveraging advancements in reproductive technology and adopting a personalized approach to treatment, IVF continues to offer hope and fulfill the dreams of parenthood for many couples worldwide. As research and technology in the field of assisted reproductive techniques evolve, ongoing improvements in IVF protocols and patient care are expected to further enhance success rates in the future.

After 10 failed IVF cycles, 33-year-old patient seeks treatment at Birla Fertility & IVF and is blessed with twins

1st May 2024, New Delhi: After struggling to conceive for 8 years and undergoing 10 failed IVF cycles, a 33-year-old woman and her husband sought treatment at Birla Fertility & IVF Delhi. Within a year, they were blessed with twins – a baby boy and a girl. The couple, hailing from a remote area 200 kilometers ahead of Varanasi, had previously consulted multitude of doctors at different hospitals in Delhi/NCR – but continued to face challenges in becoming pregnant. A team of doctors led by Dr Muskaan Chhabra (Consultant, Birla Fertility & IVF, Lajpat Nagar) treated the couple, ensuring that they were provided comprehensive and personalized fertility care.

birla

Dr Muskaan Chhabra, Consultant, Birla Fertility & IVF, Lajpat Nagar said, “We decided to start their treatment anew. Testing revealed that the female patient was struggling with primary subfertility and recurrent implantation failure, while the male patient had a high DNA Fragmentation Index (DFI), and his semen cultures were positive i.e. his semen had an infection and needed to be treated with antibiotics. The couple were asked to make several lifestyle changes and were started on a prolonged course of antioxidants. The female patient underwent a Hysteroscopy (examination of the uterus) which revealed slight abnormalities such as an enlarged cavity and scratching on the uterine wall. She also underwent ‘Era Testing’, a specialized test to find the correct window of implantation. Once this was determined, we advised the patient to undergo a donor IVF cycle followed by an intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). The transfer of two embryos was done as per the Era timing and after 15 days the patient tested positive for pregnancy.”

She added, “When I first met them, the couple was completely traumatized and broken. They had lost all hope. We not only had to provide them with physical medical care but also emotional care – to help them believe in their dream again. When they were informed that they would be having twins, they could not control their tears of joy. Teamwork, perseverance, and technological innovation allowed us to give this couple the joy of parenthood. After a smooth pregnancy, they gave birth to two beautiful babies, a boy and a girl.”

Abhishek Aggrawal, Chief Business Officer, Birla Fertility & IVF, C.K. Birla Group said, “Infertility is a serious health concern worldwide, affecting approximately 8%–10% of couples worldwide. Of 60–80 million couples suffering from infertility every year worldwide, probably between 15 and 28 million (25%) are in India alone. At Birla Fertility & IVF, our mission is to offer trusted compassion to every patient who enters our doors. We stand by our patients at every step of their journey, providing them with trust, compassion, and empathy as they pursue their dreams of parenthood. With state-of-the-art technology, top-tier fertility specialists, and a patient-centric approach, we are committed to assisting couples who are trying to conceive. We are truly driven by our motto of All Heart. All Science.”