When is IVF recommended?
Trying to conceive a baby can be an intense and emotionally charged experience that many people undergo in life. But when you start to see your months turn into years without success, you may feel like turning to IVF as a final resort. Here’s a question to consider before you move ahead: Do you truly know if IVF is the right choice for you? After all, there’s no universal rulebook for this procedure, and what works for one person may not be appropriate for another.
Of course, there are specific situations where IVF can become a medically sensible option to explore. So, if you’re at such a crossroads, fret not. Let’s break down when IVF is generally recommended, and more importantly, help you navigate this decision with maximum confidence and clarity.
What actually is IVF?
IVF, short for in vitro fertilisation, is a process where your eggs are retrieved from the ovaries and fertilised with sperm in a laboratory. The embryo that forms afterwards is transferred back into the uterus, where it is expected to develop into a successful pregnancy. These days, IVF success rates have improved significantly, particularly for younger women and those without additional complications. But it’s still a process that requires commitment – both physically and emotionally – which is why you need to know when it is specifically recommended.
What does IVF open up as an option?
Damaged or blocked fallopian tubes
The fallopian tubes are the pathways that allow our eggs to travel from the ovaries to the uterus. But when these tubes are blocked or damaged, that travel becomes impossible. This can happen due to pelvic inflammatory disease, previous ectopic pregnancies, endometriosis, or complications from surgery.
For women with such issues, IVF can help them sidestep the problem entirely. Since fertilisation occurs in the laboratory rather than in the fallopian tubes, the treatment allows conception to occur even when the tubes cannot perform their function. In many cases, this makes IVF the most effective option available.
Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a condition in which tissue similar to the lining of your uterus grows outside it, often causing pain, inflammation, and fertility problems. Depending on its severity, the condition tends to affect egg quality, damage the ovaries, or create an environment that’s hostile to conception.
For women with moderate to severe endometriosis who haven’t had success with other treatments, IVF is almost always the logical next step. The therapy allows doctors to work around the complications that endometriosis creates, potentially improving the chances of conception when natural attempts have failed.
Ovulation disorders
Conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), thyroid disorders, or premature ovarian failure can all disrupt ovulation. In many cases, fertility medications can help regulate ovulation and improve your chances of natural conception.
But when these medications don’t work, or when ovulation remains irregular despite treatment, IVF can become a viable option for success. The therapy allows doctors to control the entire process more precisely, from stimulating the ovaries to retrieving eggs at exactly the right moment.
Male infertility
Of course, fertility isn’t just about the woman, given how male factor infertility accounts for roughly half of all cases: Low sperm count, poor sperm motility, or abnormal sperm shape can all make natural conception difficult or impossible.
Fortunately, IVF can help here too, particularly when combined with a technique called ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection). This involves injecting a single sperm directly into an egg, bypassing many of the obstacles that would typically prevent fertilisation. For couples dealing with male infertility, this combination can be transformative.
Unexplained infertility
Perhaps one of the most frustrating situations is when tests come back normal, but pregnancy still doesn’t happen. Unexplained infertility affects roughly 15-30% of couples struggling to conceive, and as the name suggests, there’s no apparent reason why conception isn’t occurring.
In these cases, IVF is always the way to go after other treatments have been attempted without success. While it doesn’t necessarily address an underlying cause (since none has been identified), it does increase the chances of conception by taking over much of the fertilisation process and ensuring that viable embryos are transferred to the uterus.
Single women or same-sex couples
IVF isn’t only for couples experiencing medical infertility. Single women and same-sex female couples often turn to IVF as a way to start or grow their families. In these situations, the treatment typically involves using donor sperm alongside the IVF process.
The beauty of modern fertility treatment is that it recognises family-building comes in many forms. Whether you’re a single woman who’s ready to become a parent or a same-sex couple dreaming of having children together, a good fertility clinic in London will always be prepared to support your journey with the same care and attention as any other patient.
How do doctors decide if IVF is right for you?
Now, sure – reading about when IVF is recommended is always helpful, but remember: it can never replace the guidance of a fertility specialist who knows your specific situation. Your doctor of choice will need to consider several factors before confidently recommending IVF as the best course of action.
First, they’ll go through your medical history and any existing health conditions that may be affecting your fertility or pregnancy. Next, your test results will also play a major role in determining the next steps, taking into account current hormone levels, ultrasound findings, and semen analysis results for your partner.
Additionally, they will need to consider your personal goals and timeline. Are you hoping to preserve fertility while dealing with a medical condition? Do you have specific timing pressures due to age or other circumstances? All of these factors will feed into the final recommendation from the doctor.
When might IVF not be the first recommendation?
It’s worth noting that sometimes, IVF isn’t always the answer, even when you’re having difficulty getting pregnant. If you’re young (under the age of 35) and haven’t tried for over a year, your doctor is likely to suggest simpler interventions first. For women with regular cycles and no obvious fertility issues, the first thing that may be recommended are simple lifestyle changes and ovulation tracking.
Similarly, say there are underlying health conditions that need to be addressed first, such as thyroid problems or significant weight concerns. In such a case, your doctor may want to optimise for those issues first, before proceeding with IVF. Sometimes, treating these issues can alone solve the problem. The point being: Yes, IVF is a powerful tool, but it’s not always the first or only option when faced with fertility issues.
What should be your next step?
The question of when IVF is recommended will come down to your particular story. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer that can work here, and what makes sense for someone else may not be right for you.
Given that, what matters most is having an honest conversation with a specialist who can guide you to the proper treatment after studying your case. Circling back, if you’re wondering whether IVF is right for you, the best first step is to book a consultation. Once you take that first step, the rest of the way will not be as hard. Do not forget: This is your journey, you deserve care that recognises your specific needs and goals, and most importantly, you deserve to reach its end, with the family of your dreams.
