Should I Consider IVF?

In vitro fertilization, IVF, has become increasingly effective, reflected in pregnancy success rates reported by fertility centers to the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology each year. In the past 30 years, IVF has given singles and couples the opportunity to conceive in greater numbers than ever before, up from 10% success with each attempt in 1985 to approximately 30% today.* If you are wondering “Should I Consider IVF? ” we have the answers.

Men and women sometimes ask about moving to IVF or choosing less invasive fertility treatments first. In most cases, patients will get pregnant after optimizing natural fertility or pursuing intrauterine insemination. A reputable fertility specialist will reevaluate treatment after each round, adjusting the medication dosage and establishing an individualized cycle timeline. Our Manhattan Beach fertility center advises women to consider moving to IVF after three unsuccessful IUI cycles.

The IVF advantage

The unique advantage of IVF versus IUI is its certainty. Joining sperm and egg in the IVF lab gives us control over fertilization, as well as the opportunity to evaluate the quality of embryos prior to the transfer stage. Of course, for gay men, single fathers-to-be and women with significant anatomic difficulties, IVF is the front-line treatment.

Other situations that warrant moving to IVF include the patient populations reflected below.

Advanced maternal age necessitates moving to IVF. Time is of the essence when a woman approaches menopause and her egg quality and quantity begin to rapidly decline. The doctor will include ovarian reserve testing as part of the initial fertility workup, and may advise women to proceed directly to IVF.

IVF is the standard protocol for blocked fallopian tubes. Repairing blocked tubes is not as effective as moving to IVF to address tubal infertility. In natural conception, sperm fertilizes the ovulated egg in the fallopian tube; with IVF, this meeting occurs in the IVF lab.

Recurrent miscarriage can feel devastating, but IVF provides reassurances. Advances in preimplantation genetic screening enable us to avoid transferring embryos with chromosomal imbalances, a leading cause of miscarriage. IVF with PGS is an effective tool for finding answers after recurrent miscarriage, unexplained infertility or a history of failed IVF cycles.

IVF addresses low sperm count or sperm disorders. Men with issues that might prevent a pregnancy through natural conception or IUI are given a fertility boost with IVF thanks to intracytoplasmic sperm injection, ICSI.

Couples who prefer to have a single birth. IVF can essentially eliminate multiple births and its associated health risks to both the mother and babies. In 2013, nearly 25% of women younger than 35 chose to transfer a single embryo and that trend continues to grow.

How cost effective is IVF?

You will want to factor in the high success rates by age range and the cost of pursuing testing, multiple IUIs and fertility surgeries rather than moving to IVF from the onset of treatment.

Moving to IVF is a very personal choice, and one that our Manhattan Beach fertility center patient advocates will help prepare you to make. Contact us to arrange for an IVF consultation to determine the best plan for your unique situation.