Leading IVF experts such as Dr. J Grifo, Dr Gautam Allahbadia and Dr. Melissa Esposito talk about the use of IVF in treating infertility. Reproduction today, does not happen naturally to a lot of people due to increasing infertility issues. The problem of infertility is erratic, but with assisted reproductive techniques people have been able to mitigate the deleterious effects of infertility, both naturally and with help from specialists such as those at Fertility Plus. However, a common question that brews up in every mind is that – Should IVF be the first course of treatment or the last resort?
“Understanding how much infertility can impact your life can help you make better decisions about when you start and how you go about it,” said Dr. Grifo, program director for NYU’s Fertility Center. Although IVF treatment has achieved efficacy in getting couples pregnant while keeping a reasonable safety profile, the awareness around the treatment precludes its absolute use.
IVF isn’t usually the first preference for treatment, but it is one of the most effective alternatives to different conditions. Other effective alternatives include home insemination and IUI. “IVF works using a combination of medicinal supplements and procedures, making conducive conditions to help foster the entire ART process into a pregnancy. Although a number of treatments are offered through the process of In-vitro fertilization, deciding which one to opt for depends on the patient’s diagnosis,” explains Dr. Gautam Allahbadia, IVF Specialist and head of the Millennium Medical Center (MMC) IVF Dubai.
As the proponent of IVF Lite or Minimal Stimulation IVF, Dr. Gautam Allahbadia has been associated with the study and practice of ART in both India and abroad. Recently elected as the Vice President of the World Association of Reproductive Medicine (WARM), Dr. Gautam has been a pioneer in Third-Party Reproduction in Southeast Asia.
As a treatment methodology, IVF offers treatment for several infertility issues. After completing the infertility evaluation, the treatment plan can be decided mutually by the couple and the IVF specialists.
Having provided clinical pieces of evidence of the highest success rate, IVF is effectual in providing aid for the following:
Female Factor Infertility
Female infertility factors contribute to approximately 50% of all infertility cases. The critical role of a woman in pregnancy not only limits to producing healthy eggs that can transform into a successful pregnancy but also providing a conducive environment for the egg to mature into an embryo. If the entire process is hindered by any internal anomaly, it is a potential cause of infertility. Problems such as severely damaged fallopian tubes or scarring from endometriosis can also hinder a woman’s ability to reproduce.
How IVF helps
Through the process of IVF, eggs are retrieved directly from the female’s ovaries and fertilized in the laboratory. Therefore, this eliminates the obstructions in pregnancy due to fallopian damage or any other condition, the women might suffer from.
Male Factor Infertility
“Male infertility is a condition in which the male reproductive tract and sperm have diminished the capacity to lead to the eventual fertilization of the egg to produce an embryo,” explains Melissa Esposito, M.D., a board-certified reproductive endocrinologist at Shady Grove Fertility Center in Washington, D.C.
For poor quality sperm, low sperm count, ineffective repetitive tries at getting pregnant, or blockages, IVF is indicated.
How IVF helps
After the complete evaluation of the male participant, a number of treatment options may be provided such as IVF with ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection, where the sperm count is low, or Micromanipulation for enhancing the ability of sperm to fertilize an oocyte (egg).
Fertility preservation for both men and women
With IVF, couples are now able to preserve their fertility and become parents whenever they are completely ready. Fertility preservation is a great option for parents who are currently suffering through systemic diseases or otherwise, as it helps them procreate biological babies in the future.
How IVF helps
As for women, IVF treatment provides a chance where they can freeze their embryos through a process of cryopreservation and conceive at later stages in life. As for the male counterparts, sperm samples are stored and used later for artificial fertilization.
Patients often think about IVF as a process of artificial fertilization, but it is a great alternative for exploring family planning options and locating unexplained infertility problems. It has successfully assisted couples in their journey towards parenthood and relieving them from different medical complications.