From the Guidelines
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) offers numerous benefits, including enabling pregnancy for individuals with various fertility challenges, allowing for genetic testing of embryos, and providing a pathway to biological parenthood for same-sex couples and single individuals. The benefits of IVF can be seen in its ability to overcome fertility challenges such as blocked fallopian tubes, severe male factor infertility, endometriosis, unexplained infertility, or advanced maternal age 1. Additionally, IVF allows for preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) of embryos, which can reduce the risk of passing on genetic disorders to offspring 1.
Some of the key benefits of IVF include:
- Enabling pregnancy for individuals with blocked fallopian tubes, severe male factor infertility, endometriosis, unexplained infertility, or advanced maternal age
- Allowing for genetic testing of embryos (preimplantation genetic testing) before transfer, reducing the risk of passing on genetic disorders to offspring
- Providing a pathway to biological parenthood for same-sex couples and single individuals when used with donor eggs, sperm, or surrogacy
- Offering an alternative to traditional fertility treatments, which may have failed or are not suitable for certain individuals or couples
The process of IVF typically involves ovarian stimulation using medications, followed by egg retrieval, fertilization with sperm, embryo culture, and then transfer to the uterus 1. Success rates vary based on age and underlying conditions, with younger patients generally experiencing higher success rates. While IVF can be emotionally and financially demanding, it has helped millions of people worldwide achieve pregnancy when other fertility treatments have failed. The use of IVF has been shown to result in fertilization and pregnancy rates similar to that of fresh oocytes, making it a viable option for individuals and couples struggling with infertility 1.
From the Research
Benefits of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
- IVF can help individuals or couples conceive when they have been unable to do so naturally, including those with unexplained subfertility 2.
- The use of preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) with IVF allows prospective parents to screen embryos for genetic abnormalities before implantation, reducing the risk of passing on genetic conditions to their children 3, 4.
- IVF may be associated with higher live birth rates than expectant management or unstimulated intrauterine insemination (IUI) in certain cases 2.
- For women with endometriosis, IVF can be an effective treatment option, especially when used in conjunction with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (Gn-RHa) pretreatment 5, 6.
- IVF can also be used as part of a fertility-sparing strategy for women with certain medical conditions, such as endometrial cancer, allowing them to preserve their fertility while undergoing treatment 6.
Reduced Risk of Genetic Disorders
- IVF with PGT can help reduce the risk of passing on genetic disorders, such as fragile X syndrome, to children 4.
- This can be especially important for individuals who are carriers of genetic mutations or have a family history of genetic disorders.
Increased Access to Fertility Treatment
- IVF can provide access to fertility treatment for individuals or couples who may not have been able to conceive otherwise, including those with same-sex partners or single individuals 3.