Title: 10 Myths About Fertility Treatment - Reproductive Sciences Medical Center
1- 10 Myths About Fertility Treatment
2Fertility treatments have saved the happiness of
millions of families around the world.
Unfortunately, there are some myths that
stigmatize fertility treatments and make others
wary of them. The following are common
misconceptions and the truth to these commonly
mistaken aspects of fertility treatment.
3Myth 1 IVF is the one and only option
- Truth IVF is usually not the first choice when
it comes to fertility treatment. Couples often
start with natural conception, however when this
does not work they begin to explore their
options. When couples have unexplained
infertility problems and the woman is below the
age of 38, the first option is usually
Intrauterine Insemination (IUI). An IUI cycle is
less likely to lead to pregnancy compared to IVF
but most young women who have fertility issues do
conceive with this treatment. Most fertility
doctors will recommend at least three IUI cycles.
If within the three cycles the woman does not
become pregnant then IVF is recommended.
4Myth 2 Fertility doctors and clinics are all
the same.
- Truth Many doctors have worked in both
large-scale clinics and in small private
practices, so this couldnt be further from the
truth. In smaller private practices doctors can
do the following - Provide personalized care to their patients by
offering them a treatment that closely suits
their needs. - Carry out personalized monitoring and procedural
check- ups compared to large scale hospitals with
doctor-on-duty system. - Keep in touch with their patients daily over the
phone or via email.
5Myth 3 Fertility treatments are too expensive.
- Truth Some insurance policies will cover the
full cost associated with fertility treatments
and others may pay for a portion of the costs.
If your insurance company does not cover any of
the costs, there are payment options. Some
patients who meet certain criteria might be
eligible for a refund program if IVF is not
successful.
6Myth 4 Fertility treatments take too long.
- Truth We are dedicated to our patients, so we
accommodate as best we can to make sure our
patients schedule are not inconveniently
interfered. However it is important to note that
the preparation for an IVF cycle may take a
couple of weeks for new patients, while keeping
office visits to a minimum. This is also
dependent on the patients schedule. Once an IVF
cycle begins, women go through 10 to 11 days of
injections, with egg retrieval coming two days
after the last injection. - During these two weeks, patients do need to be
monitored closely. Most clinics require between
four and six visits throughout an IVF cycle. The
appointments are usually done first thing in the
morning, so the patients work schedule will not
be interrupted.
7Myth 5 I will have twins or triplets if I use
fertility treatments.
- Truth Even though the chances of getting
pregnant with more than one child increases with
the use of fertility treatments, it is not
always the case and can be controlled. - The risk of developing twins is less than 2
through IVF. During IVF you can choose to have
only one embryo to be transferred. - Through IUI, the doctor can often predict the
number of mature eggs likely to be ovulated.
Doctors utilize ultrasounds and hormone level
indicators to determine these. These allow the
doctor and patient to decide it the risk is too
high for multiples.
8Myth 6 Fertility treatment poses more risks to
the child.
- Truth There are no notable differences between
children conceived naturally and those conceived
via IVF. However, studies suggest that after an
IVF treatment, there is a slightly higher risk of
the child having a physical birth defect. - In the general population, there is a 3 to 4
percent chance of a child being born with a birth
defect. With IVF there is a 4 to 5 percent
chance of a child having a birth defect.
9Myth 7 There is a guarantee of conception with
IVF.
- Truth IVF does not guarantee conception but does
greatly increase the chances of conception among
couples who have been trying to get pregnant.
The rate of success is dependent on a womans
age. Women who are 35 years or younger have a
higher chance of getting pregnant from a single
IVF treatment. This is generally around 50-60.
The odds of a couple conceiving naturally during
any cycle is less than 25. A couple with
infertility issues, on the other hand, have less
than a 5 chance.
10Myth 8 I am too young to consider fertility
treatment.
- Truth A younger woman has a better chance of
conceiving with fertility treatment. If a couple
has tried for at least one year and has not had
success, fertility treatment will increase their
odds of becoming pregnant. - Additionally, women who are still young, and are
not interested in getting pregnant at that moment
in time, may freeze their eggs for future use.
11Myth 9 I am too old for fertility treatment.
- Truth We specialize in challenging cases and we
do not turn down patients. Your age my affect
your chances of pregnancy. Fortunately, our
physicians provide a wide array of services that
help older women pursue their dreams of
parenthood.
12Myth 10 I am not interested in getting pregnant
now, so there is no reason for me to meet with a
fertility doctor.
- Truth Young women, as well as those between the
age of 35 and 40 should preserve their fertility
by freezing their eggs. This is a way to stop
the clock and start a family when they are
ready. - Additionally, women should see a fertility
doctor for an assessment when they are ready.
Fertility doctors can teach couples how to
attempt to properly conceive. They can also do an
initial assessment of a womans ovarian reserve
to help them better understand the process.
13CONCLUSION
- Before selecting the best fertility option, do
your own research. This will save you both time
and money. At Reproductive Sciences Medical
Center, we are here to give you all the necessary
support to ensure your family success. For this
and much more, do not hesitate to call us today
at 858-436-7186.