IVF drains out would-be parents physically, mentally and financially and Its success rate is only 40% to 50%
A 32-year-old woman was trying for a baby for over five years.
When she was unable to conceive naturally, she went to seek help from her gynaecologist. Priyanka (name changed) was subjected to Invitro Fertilisation (IVF) not once, but thrice. In her case, the IVF failed all three times, leaving her shattered.
Today, Priyanka is three months pregnant and the good news is that she conceived naturally.
“When she approached us, we did a semen count on her husband. We found out that the semen count was 10 million per ml, which was ok. However, there were a lot of dead sperms in the sample. We had just put him on some antioxidant medication, that improved his sperm quality," said Dr Kamini Rao, medical director, Bangalore Assisted Conception Centre (BACC).
At least 7% of all the IVFs done are unnecessary. Rather proper insemination and timed intercourse can lead to natural conception, said Dr Rao. "Many a time, we get cases of sexual dysfunction due to performance anxiety during the ovulation period in men. And more often, such cases are referred for IVF. However, simple counselling and motivation can help," she said.
About 6% of men, between the age group of 15 and50, struggle with infertility. Male infertility can be caused by a variety of problems, said Dr Chitra Rammurthy, senior consultant, obsterics and gyneocology, Apollo Hospital. “About 90% of male infertility is caused by the failure to produce enough sperm. However, a low sperm count, or a total sperm count of less than 5 million/ml does not necessarily mean that a man is infertile, provided, the sperm that he does have are healthy, properly formed, and mobile.”
Other problems, leading to infertility in men include Varicocele—when varicose vein around one of the two spermatic cords can cause blood to pool in the testis; this, in turn raises the temperature in this area. Moreover, ductal obstruction or blockage or damage to the spermatic tubes can cause problems, said Dr Rammurthy. “Besides, 28 to 71% of infertile men show some signs of an infection of their reproductive organs that can be treated with antibiotic,” she added.
IVF drains out would-be parents physically, mentally and financially. Even in the best of centres the success rate for IVF is only 40% to 50%. Thus IVF should be kept as a last resort and should be suggested only when natural conception and other simple methods of assisted conception fails, said Dr Padmini Prasad, director, Institute of Sexual Medicine.
Moreover, the procedure is not risk free. “IVF which calls for predisposition to higher stimulation of the ovaries sometimes do carry chances of ovarian malignancy,” said Dr Prasad.
However, in cases of bilateral tubal block, endometriosis and severe oligospermia, IVF is indicated as the only solution, she added.
IVF is not a solution, unless the root cause of infertility is dealt with.
“Many centres don’t conduct a proper investigation of male infertility. Studying the semen sample once is not enough. At least three semen sample tests need to be done. Various culture reports need to be studied, scans need to be done to see if at all there is a problem with the testes. Overall, men should be examined at the same degree as women, before suggesting on IVF,” said Dr Rao.
Referring to Priyanka's case, she said that the IVF failed thrice because of poor sperm quality that was left untreated.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}