What couples considering IVF need to know

WEDNESDAY, May 1, 2019 (HealthDay News) – In vitro fertilization (IVF) is widely used in the United States to help infertile couples have children. But there are a number of things that people should know when they plan to do it, says an infertility specialist.

"Many factors … can affect the success of an IVF cycle, but many people view IVF as their safety net that allows them to have a child at all times," said Dr. Rashmi Kudesia. She specializes in reproductive endocrinology and infertility at Houston Methodist in Texas.

For women using their own eggs, the success rate dropped to less than 15% in the early 1940s and to less than 5% in the mid-1940s, she said. "This does not mean that IVF will not work for these couples, but they should know that success varies depending on the age," Kudesia said in a press release from a medical center.

In addition, the success rates of IVF vary greatly by clinic, she noted, but all clinics are required to report this information to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. By the time patients make treatment decisions, Kudesia suggested they use the CDC's online tool to compare clinics.

"Two of the most frequently asked questions by couples when they start IVF are about their chances of ending up with multiple babies and how uncomfortable the process will be," she said.

"There is a perception that any type of fertility support leads to having multiple babies with a single pregnancy.With IVF, we are implanting more and more that an embryo at the time, so you will only end up with twins or more if the embryo separates naturally "Kudesia explained.

And, she added, most women suffer from difficult symptoms for two weeks when they take hormones to help the eggs grow, but the rest of the process should be more comfortable.

"IVF is an incredibly powerful technology that has given many couples the opportunity to be parents," said Kudesia. "But this is not a trip that anyone should undertake without being prepared." Anyone facing infertility and contemplating IVF should talk to his gynecological obstetrician and a procreation endocrinologist to review all their fertility treatment options. "

Infertility affects one in eight couples in the United States.

More information

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have an online tool containing information on fertility clinic services and success rates.