Over the recent years, Infertility services have doubled in India and every angle of the sector has been impacted. This includes incurring in more investments by infertility centres to improve infertility services, gaining more insight into the treatments and the suitable candidates. According to the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology, more than 61,000 babies have been born via IVF procedures
The In Vitro Fertilization procedures require the retrieval of eggs from a woman’s ovary and combining them with the suitable male sperms in the laboratory. This is specifically conducted by embryologists.
With every IVF protocol, the number of live births hikes for the fact that the once infertile patients are deemed fertile. Mainly, IVF treatments are taken on as the first suitable treatment or considered when other infertility treatments like IUI, ICSI, fail to help a couple conceive. Majorly, suitable candidates for IVF treatment can be categorized in the following aspects;
-
Anovulation
Anovulation is described as the condition when a woman’s ovaries fail to produce eggs for fertilization during her menstruation cycle. This condition commonly affects women aged 38 and above, but even the younger ones may fall into the same basket. The immediate solution to anovulation is the utilization of fertility drugs and in case they fail, the woman will move ahead to IVF treatment
-
Damaged Fallopian Tubes
A pelvic inflammatory disease is the commonest cause of tubal damage, however, other infections such as chlamydia may trigger the same. Tubal abnormalities or any damage caused by pelvic surgeries may affect the Fallopian tubes affecting their function. Damaged Fallopian tubes can be corrected through surgery or other possible tests, but pregnancy rates are low. Most couples prefer direct IVF treatment than footing tubal treatments and later on IVF treatments
-
Infertility
It is described as a condition where a woman fails to conceive either due to female infertility or male infertility. There are various cases of infertility that may at times be age-related infertility or unexplained infertility
Age-related infertility is common in women aged 38 and above with the fact that a woman’s ovarian functions reduce with age. This causes a reduction in the number of eggs produced for fertilization and their quality.
Unexplained infertility on the other hand commonly occurs in younger women aged 35 and below. These cases of infertility can be corrected by IVF treatment in addition to blastocyst transfer, preimplantation genetic diagnosis, embryo, sperm or egg donor among others
-
Endometriosis
It is a condition in which the uterine lining, which is supposed to grow in the uterus grows outside the uterus. This condition involves various organs of the female reproductive system such as the Fallopian tubes, and the ovaries. The commonest symptoms of endometriosis include;
-
Pain during sexual intercourse
-
Painful periods
-
Infertility
-
Excessive bleeding among others
Surgery can be performed to eliminate this condition and, in case it fails, IVF remains as the possible alternative for conception
-
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
It is a condition in which fluid-filled sacs grow in the ovaries of the woman. PCOS is mainly a hormonal disorder and can affect any woman in the reproductive age. PCOS is associated with various symptoms, though very silent in common cases. Mainly, woman with PCOS is associated with;
-
Increased male hormones (androgen)
-
Irregular periods
-
Excess insulin
-
Polycystic ovaries
-
Infertility
PCOS can be treated with a drug known as “Metformin” commonly used to regulate blood sugars. Other treatments remain management tips such as losing weight, regular exercises, a low-carb diet, fertility drugs, birth control pills, and a laparoscopic surgery may be performed to directly remove the cysts
Other conditions that may require IVF treatments include;
-
Chronic illnesses
-
Physical abnormalities in women
-
Same-sex couples
-
Genetic disorders
-
Surrogacy