Understanding Male and Female Infertility in IVF

Millions of people around the world face the challenge of ‘infertility’ while conceiving. The term ‘infertility’ is used in the medical industry when you can’t get pregnant despite having frequent, unprotected sex for at least a year. Though women carry pregnancy, infertility can be identified in men too.

There are many factors that may prevent you from getting a child. Infertility is one of them. It may happen because of a health issue with either you or your partner, or a combination of multiple factors. But many safe and effective treatments with the help of modern technology can increase your chances of conceiving. Many couples eventually conceive with or without the treatment. If the couple doesn’t conceive naturally, the advanced medical technology has multiple alternatives. One of the booming and successful options is IVF.

IVF is a topic which has many myths and misconceptions revolving around it. There are many people who are confused about IVF. Let’s understand the meaning of IVF – IVF is In Vitro Fertilization which includes fertilizing eggs and sperm outside the body and transferring embryos into the uterus for various fertility issues. Male infertility and female infertility are handled in a different way while going through IVF.

Male infertility can be identified through symptoms like problems with sexual functions, hormonal problems, changes in hair growth and lower sperm count than normal.

IVF is a form of assisted reproductive technology (ART). Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) is developed which is used in IVF to treat infertility and increase the chances of becoming a parent. It includes all fertility treatments in which either eggs or embryos are handled. Procedures where only sperm are manipulated, such as intrauterine inseminations, are not considered under ART.

When a woman is unable to conceive after 1 year of regular sexual intimacy, ageing below 35 years might be suffering from infertility. The main symptom of infertility is not getting pregnant. There may be no other clear symptoms. Some women with infertility may have irregular menstrual periods or no periods.

IVF helps in fertilizing the male egg outside the uterus, inserting the fertilised egg (embryo) back into it to get pregnant. Pregnancy occurs when this embryo implants itself into the uterine wall. One full cycle of IVF takes about 2 to 3 weeks.

Outlook of live birth rates depend on certain factors such as mother age, prior live birth, and single embryo transfer during IVF. Success rates have changed over the years in part due to the increasing use of single embryo transfers. IVF clinics have encouraged single embryo transfers to reduce the risk of twin pregnancies, which have higher risk for complications than singleton pregnancies.

If the couples choose for IVF, male or female infertility can be treated due to modern technology. This helps the couple to fulfill their dream of becoming parents and their pain of childlessness vanishes in no time!