New Delhi: In-vitro fertilization (IVF) has emerged as a ray of hope for those struggling with infertility. In India, around 27.5 million couples suffer from infertility problems. The journey of convincing is an overwhelming experience and is filled with many ups and downs. Before going for an IVF procedure, it may be confusing which process to choose the natural cycle IVF or the stimulated cycle IVF. Let’s understand what are the pros and cons of both the procedures.
Dr Nishi Singh, the Head of Fertility at Prime IVF Centre told News9, “In the contemporary world, many people face complications in conceiving due to various factors like lifestyle changes, environmental influences, and health issues. Within the range of IVF options, two primary methods are popular that is Natural Cycle IVF and Conventional IVF. According to Ernst & Young predictions, India’s IVF market is projected to reach $1.45 billion by 2027, a significant jump from $793 million in 2020, with a projected compound annual growth rate of 15-20 per cent.”
Understanding the differences, benefits, and limitations of these two approaches can help couples make informed decisions about their fertility treatments.
Natural Cycle IVF: Natural Cycle IVF is a fertility treatment that follows a woman’s natural ovulation cycle without the use of drugs or hormone stimulation. The process involves monitoring the menstrual cycle, retrieving the eggs from naturally grown follicles and fertilizing in a lab. This method is suitable for women who are still ovulating and wish to avoid the use of stimulation drugs.
Pros of Natural IVF:
Reduced Medication Use: One of the primary benefits of Natural Cycle IVF is the avoidance of hormonal stimulation drugs. This reduces the risk of side effects such as ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), a condition that can cause abdominal pain, bloating, and, in severe cases, more serious health complications.
Lower Costs: Since this method does not require expensive hormone injections, the overall cost of the treatment is less. This can make fertility treatment more accessible to a broader range of couples.
Ethical Considerations: For those concerned about the ethical implications of multiple egg retrievals and the potential disposal of unused embryos, Natural Cycle IVF can be a preferable option as it typically involves the retrieval and fertilization of a single egg.
Cons of Natural Cycle IVF:
Lower Success Rates: One of the drawbacks of Natural Cycle IVF is its lower success rate as only one egg is retrieved, and the chances of fertilization, and successful implantation are reduced.
Limited to Younger Age: Natural Cycle IVF is most effective for women under the age of 35. Women over 35 may have fewer eggs available, and the quality of those eggs may be lower which reduces the chances of success.
Increased Monitoring: Despite being less invasive, Natural Cycle IVF requires careful and frequent monitoring to identify the optimal time for egg retrieval, which can be time-consuming and stressful.
Conventional IVF: Conventional IVF involves stimulating the ovaries with fertility drugs to produce multiple eggs in one cycle. The eggs are then retrieved and fertilised in a lab, and the resulting embryos are transferred back into the uterus.
Pros of Conventional IVF:
Higher Success Rates: Conventional IVF generally has higher success rates compared to Natural Cycle IVF. The use of fertility medicines increases the number of eggs retrieved, improving the chances of successful fertilization and implantation.
Ability to Freeze Eggs/Embryos: With more eggs retrieved, there is an option to freeze eggs or embryos for future use. This can be particularly useful for women who may want to delay pregnancy or undergo multiple cycles without repeating the stimulation process.
Suitable for Severe Fertility Issues: Conventional IVF is often the preferred method for women with severe fertility issues, such as blocked fallopian tubes or significantly diminished ovarian reserve. Under the latest ART Bill 2020, women in India can undergo assisted reproduction or IVF up to the age of 50.
Cons of Conventional IVF:
Higher Cost: The extensive use of fertility drugs and the need for more frequent medical monitoring make Conventional IVF more expensive.
Side Effects: The fertility drugs used in Conventional IVF can cause side effects, including mood swings, bloating, and in rare cases, ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS).
Emotional and Physical Strain: The intensive nature of the treatment, with multiple injections and frequent medical appointments, can be emotionally and physically draining for the woman.
No matter what, both Natural Cycle IVF and Conventional IVF offer valuable options for couples navigating the path to parenthood. Additionally, consulting with a fertility specialist can provide specific advice and help in making an informed decision that aligns with one’s reproductive goals.
In the contemporary world, many people face complications in conceiving due to various factors like lifestyle changes, environmental influences, and health issues. In-vitro fertilization (IVF) has emerged as a ray of hope for those struggling with infertility. Expert compares between the natural cycle IVF vs. stimulated cycle IVF Health Conditions Health News: Latest News from Health Care, Mental Health, Weight Loss, Disease, Nutrition, Healthcare
