5 Reasons to Consider IVF — From Age to Unexplained Infertility
21 July 2025 12:36 PM IST21 July 2025 12:36 PM IST
As a medical treatment that has transformed lives, IVF offers a path to parenthood for many, especially when conventional methods haven’t worked. But how do you know when it’s time to consider IVF?
Representational Image/Pexeles
Infertility is one of the most personal and emotionally charged challenges a couple can face. In a country like India, where family and children are often seen as life’s greatest blessings, the inability to conceive can feel like an overwhelming silence amidst a crowded celebration. Yet, for the growing number of couples facing infertility, there is hope — and that hope often lies in In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF). As a medical treatment that has transformed lives, IVF offers a path to parenthood for many, especially when conventional methods haven’t worked. But how do you know when it’s time to consider IVF? Let’s walk through five crucial signs that suggest IVF might be the right step.
1. The Silence of Unexplained Infertility
For couples who have been trying to conceive without success, the experience can feel like a constant puzzle with missing pieces. Despite undergoing tests, doctors can sometimes be left without clear answers. This is the reality of unexplained infertility, a condition that affects up to 25-30% of infertile couples in India. You may have tested for hormonal imbalances, ovulation disorders, and even sperm count, yet the cause remains elusive.
This ambiguity can be frustrating, and it’s here that IVF steps in, providing a clear solution. IVF bypasses the natural conception process, allowing doctors to fertilise the egg outside the body and implant it in the uterus. It’s a proven method for couples who have exhausted other options but are still left without a reason for their infertility. In India, as awareness around IVF grows, more and more couples are turning to this treatment to start their families, even when the cause of infertility is unclear.
2. Age - A Barrier to Natural Conception
For many women, the dream of starting a family doesn’t come into focus until their careers are established or personal circumstances align. The problem? Age. Women in their 30s often experience a natural decline in fertility, and this decline becomes more pronounced after 35. For those over 40, the chances of conceiving naturally are significantly reduced, with many women experiencing increased risks of miscarriage and chromosomal abnormalities.
In India, many women delay having children due to career goals or personal reasons, making IVF an increasingly viable option for those struggling with age- related fertility challenges. IVF technology, coupled with egg retrieval and embryo freezing, allows women to preserve their fertility for later in life, offering a real chance to become mothers despite the biological clock ticking away.
3. Medical Conditions That Hinder Fertility
Medical conditions such as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, and male infertility contribute to a significant percentage of infertility cases. In India, PCOS affects around 10-15% of women and is one of the leading causes of infertility. Women with PCOS often suffer from irregular ovulation, making conceiving naturally difficult. Similarly, endometriosis — a condition affecting 10% of women globally — causes infertility by interfering with the egg’s ability to be fertilised.
For men, infertility issues like low sperm count or poor sperm motility are common causes of infertility. While these conditions may seem like insurmountable obstacles, IVF can provide hope. Through procedures like intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), where a single sperm is injected directly into an egg, IVF has proven effective for men with sperm quality issues. IVF bypasses many of the obstacles created by these conditions, offering a clear path to conception.
4. Multiple Miscarriages
One of the most heartbreaking experiences for a woman is the loss of a pregnancy. Miscarriage rates are estimated to be 10-20% of all pregnancies, but for those who experience recurrent miscarriages, the emotional toll can be even more devastating. For couples who have had two or more miscarriages, the question becomes not just “Why did this happen?” but “What can we do next?”
In such cases, IVF offers a scientifically backed solution: Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT). This advanced technique tests embryos for genetic abnormalities before they are implanted in the uterus, reducing the risk of miscarriage. This allows couples to ensure that only healthy embryos are transferred, significantly increasing the chances of a successful pregnancy. In India, where miscarriage is often surrounded by silence and societal stigma, IVF provides a hopeful path to parenthood, offering couples a chance to start their family after loss.
5. One Year of Trying, and Still No Results
In India, many couples wait for a year or more before seeking medical help, assuming that conception will happen naturally. However, if you’ve been trying for over 12 months without success, it’s time to consider professional fertility treatment. Women over 35 should consider seeking help after six months of trying. Infertility doesn't just affect women—40% of infertility cases in India are attributed to issues with sperm count, motility, and morphology in men.
For couples who have been trying for a year without success, IVF offers a higher success rate than natural conception or other fertility treatments, such as intrauterine insemination (IUI). The journey to parenthood isn’t always straightforward, and if conventional methods haven’t worked, IVF may provide the much-needed breakthrough.
India is rapidly becoming a global hub for IVF treatment, with success rates ranging from 50-70% depending on various factors such as age and overall health. IVF is becoming more affordable and accessible across the country, though challenges such as social stigma, limited access in rural areas, and lack of awareness still persist.
Is IVF for you?
Making the decision to undergo IVF is a deeply personal one, but it is a decision that can lead to the fulfilment of a lifelong dream for many couples in India. If you're facing any of the signs outlined above—unexplained infertility, age-related fertility decline, medical conditions, recurrent miscarriage, or infertility after a year of trying—it may be time to consult a fertility specialist and explore the IVF treatment options available to you.
The article is authored by Dr. Batchu Sowdamini, Sr. Consultant Obstetrics & Gynaecologist, Apollo Hospitals, Visakhapatnam.
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
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