Who needs IVF Treatment? Signs you should Consult a Fertility Specialist

The journey to parenthood for some couples can be fraught with obstacles and challenges.

The dream of starting a family often echoes with excitement. But as months goes by without a positive pregnancy test, it can slowly become a source of anxiety and often confusion.

The problem here is Infertility.

Infertility is far more common than what many people realize. It affects worldwide approximately 1 in 6 people.

Thankfully, In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) has emerged as a positive solution. It is now considered the gold standard of assisted reproductive technology (ART), responsible for millions of births worldwide.

At the same time, it has thrown up a question – How do you know if you have reached a dead end in trying naturally?

That’s when you need to take a positive decision and see a fertility specialist (reproductive endocrinologist). If done, it saves you emotional energy and enhances your chances of success.

Know the General Rule

The following details general medical consensus for seeking help based on age:

• Under 35 Years: Consult after no pregnancy following one year of regular, unprotected intercourse.
• 35 to 39 Years: Window shortens to six months. Egg quality and quantity decline more rapidly. So, early intervention is essential.
• 40 Years and Above: Consult immediately when you decide to conceive. The natural success rate per cycle gets significantly lower.

Who Needs IVF Treatment?

Here are signs that tell who needs an IVF treatment

Blocked or Damaged Fallopian Tubes

Tubal factor infertility is among the most clear-cut indicators for IVF.

The egg and sperm in a natural conception meet in the fallopian tube for fertilization. The sperm if the tubes are blocked or scarred or have been removed surgically, will not be able to reach the egg.

Common Causes

• History of Pelvic Inflammation.
• Previous sctopic pregnancies.
• Past abdominal or pelvic surgeries

IVF bypasses the fallopian tubes wholly by retrieving eggs directly from the ovaries. Then, later it places the embryo into the uterus.

It remains the primary solution for this condition.

Severe Endometriosis

It indicates a condition where tissue identical to the uterus lining grows outside the womb. This can lead to severe inflammation resulting in the formation of ‘chocolate cysts’ (endometriomas) on the ovaries and distort anatomy.

Mild endometriosis can at times be managed with intrauterine insemination (IUI). However, severe cases like Stage III or IV often require IVF. Endometriosis can affect the quality of the egg as well as the uterine environment. IVF on the other hand allows specialists to select the healthiest embryos to maximize implantation chances.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) & Ovulatory Disorders

It’s recognized as the leading cause of female infertility. This is characterized by hormonal imbalances that prevent regular ovulation.

Many patients with PCOS are known to successfully conceive using oral medications. Like for instance, Clomid or Retrozole. However, IVF becomes if the ovulation induction fails after several rounds, the next logical step.

IVF provides a controlled environment. This allows doctors to use injectable hormones for stimulating the ovaries, precisely timing the retrieval of mature eggs.

Male Factor Infertility

Infertility is not just a female issue.

It also has a male factor. This factor is often a contributing or primary cause in almost 40 to 50 percent cases.

A semen analysis might reveal:

• Low Sperm Count (Orgospermia): Insufficient sperm. It cannot reach the egg.
• Poor Motility: Sperm that cannot swim effectively
• Abnormal Morphology: Sperm with irregular shapes. They cannot penetrate the egg.

A specialized version of IVF called ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection) is in cases of severe male factor infertility used.

Diminished Ovarian Reserve (DOR)

Every woman is born with a finite number of eggs.

The ‘reserve’ of these eggs as age increases decreases.

Blood tests like AMH or FSH or an ultrasound (Antral Follicle Count) can indicate for your age a low egg count.

This is when a specialist will likely recommend fast-tracking to IVF.

IVF to retrieve as many viable eggs as possible in a single window of time allows for:

• ‘Banking’ embryos’; or
• Using aggressive stimulation protocols.

Unexplained Infertility

It is termed as perhaps the most frustrating diagnosis.

Unexplained infertility

• Occurs when all standard tests come back normal yet pregnancy does not happen. Tests like semen analysis, tubal patency, and ovulation checks.
• Often points to subtle issues that cannot be seen by standard tests. Issues like fertilization failures or poor embryo development.

IVF acts as a treatment as well as a diagnostic tool here. It allows embryologists to observe the fertilization process in the lab. They help identify where the breakdown is happening.

Recurrent Miscarriage and Genetic Screening

There are times when a woman gets pregnant but falls to miscarriage.

If the woman has suffered two or more miscarriages, they can benefit from IVF with PGT-A (Preimplantation Genetic Testing).

Miscarriages’ in majority of the cases are caused by chromosomal abnormalities like aneuploldy.

Embryos during an IVF cycle can be screened before they are transferred to the uterus. The risk of miscarriage can by selecting only ‘euploid’ (chromosomally normal) embryos, be significantly reduced.

This shortens the time to a healthy LIVE birth.

Preserving Fertility

IVF is not always about immediate pregnancy

Rather it is also about the primary method for:

• Onco Fertility: Patients facing chemotherapy or radiation. They can freeze their eggs or embryos to use after they have recovered.
• Social Freezing: Individuals who are not ready to have children in their 20s or early 30s. they can freeze eggs to ‘stop the biological clock.’

Signs you should Consult a Specialist Today

The following details the signs when you might need to consult a fertility specialist.

• Irregular or Absent Periods: Indicates you may not be ovulating regularly.
• History of STIs: Indicates infections like Gonorrhea or Chlamydia. They can cause silent scarring in the fallopian tubes.
• Severe Period Pain: Hallmark symptom of endometriosis.
• Chronic Health Conditions: Like diabetes, thyroid disorders, or autoimmune diseases. They can impact fertility.
• Previous Cancer Treatment: Either partner has undergone radiation or chemotherapy.

Final Word

The word ‘IVF’ can often feel heavy.

However for many, it’s a boon. That converts a difficult pregnancy journey into a success story.

If you’re one of those struggling to conceive and seeking help, know that it is not a sign of failure. Rather it is a productive step to realizing your goal.

Modern fertility treatments are often highly successful. They are also easily accessible than ever before.

Take control of your reproductive health by recognizing early the signs and consulting a fertility specialist. This will help you move a step closer to ultimately become pregnant with a baby on the way.