Myths about IVF.
It has been more than 40 years since the birth of the first IVF child and still there are several myths about IVF.
Technology, science and medical experience have evolved over the years. The experts now have specialized knowledge, new generation technology (artificial intelligence) and many years of experience.
But let's take a look at the myths surrounding IVF and what’s true.
Myth 1: I do not need IVF; I will try as much as I can and maybe the baby comes.
How long is “as much as I can”? There’s no need to waste time not knowing about our fertility levels. If you are trying for a baby for a year without a positive pregnancy test (if you are up to 35 years old) or for 6 months (if you are over 35 years old) then the advice of the fertility expert can be really valuable. And what do we mean by "trying"? We mean targeted unprotected intercourse, mainly in the fertile window. A fertility expert can help you identify these days. Don’t forget to check the male factor as well.
Myth 2: IVF will not succeed the first time.
IVF should be all about personalization. In other words, the fertility expert should review your medical history in detail and design an IVF treatment plan for your unique needs, your fertility status and your personal goals.
The embryology laboratory can also boost your treatment’s success. The embryologists know what to advise you, and along with the fertility experts, they can maximize the highest success rate for your own treatment. IVF is a multifactorial therapy. Our goal for you is to succeed on your first IVF treatment. We cannot absolutely say that IVF never succeeds on the first try, or that it always succeeds on the first try. With our team 7 out of 10 couples make it with their first try.
Myth 3: IVF medication is not safe- and I will gain weight.
What is IVF medication exactly? It is hormones that can boost a woman's fertility and can be a helpful guide for the fertility expert to monitor the woman's treatment, in order to reach her goal: to have her baby.
The medication has no permanent side effects for the woman's body. Her body is "programmed" to produce hormones at these levels. Like IVF, hormones are a woman’s ally in her treatment.
Regarding the weight, it is not something permanent. Only a slight swelling (fluid retention) just before the egg retrieval.
Myth 4: IVF has no age limit.
Well, the sooner the better. IVF success is indeed affected by age. The older a woman is, the lower her eggs are in quantity and quality.
Myth 5: All clinics are the same. All doctors do the same.
The method of IVF treatment as a procedure is one. This does not mean, however, that all clinics and all doctors follow the same protocol or have the same embryo laboratory or even the same experience.
What makes the difference is the tailored plan, the adjustment -if necessary-, the high medical training of the team, the many years of experience and the good communication with the patient. At the same time, the well-equipped embryology lab, the new generation technology, the specialized embryologists and their continuous training can give you better success rates for your own treatment.
Evripidis Mantoudis
