IVF / Infertility Treatment

1. What is IVF?

IVF is an assisted reproductive technology involving ovarian stimulation, egg retrieval, fertilisation in a laboratory, embryo development and embryo transfer.

2. When is IVF Recommended?

IVF may be recommended for selected patients with:

• Blocked or damaged fallopian tubes
• Severe male-factor infertility
• Endometriosis
• Ovulation disorders
• Reduced ovarian reserve
• Unexplained infertility
• Previous unsuccessful fertility treatment
• Certain genetic conditions requiring specialised embryo testing

The appropriate treatment depends on the couple's fertility assessment.

3. What Does the Treatment Involve?

A typical IVF cycle includes:

Fertility assessment → Ovarian stimulation → Ultrasound & hormone monitoring → Egg retrieval → Sperm preparation → Laboratory fertilisation → Embryo culture → Embryo transfer → Pregnancy test

In selected cases, embryos may be frozen for future treatment.

4. How Long Does IVF Treatment Take?

A complete IVF cycle commonly takes approximately 2–6 weeks, depending on the treatment protocol and whether embryo transfer is performed in the same cycle.

Additional time may be required for:

• Frozen embryo transfer
• Genetic testing
• Additional fertility investigations
• Embryo freezing

5. What Are the Main IVF Techniques?

Depending on the cause of infertility, treatment may involve:

• Conventional IVF
• Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)
• Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET)
• Blastocyst culture
• Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT) in selected cases

The fertility specialist recommends the appropriate technique after evaluation.

6. What Are the Success Rates?

IVF success varies considerably depending on:

• Female age
• Ovarian reserve
• Egg and sperm quality
• Cause of infertility
• Embryo quality
• Uterine factors
• Previous treatment history

A fertility specialist can provide a more individualised estimate after reviewing the couple's reports.

7. What Are the Possible Risks or Considerations?

Potential risks include:

• Side effects from fertility medicines
• Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS)
• Multiple pregnancy
• Bleeding or infection related to egg retrieval
• Emotional and financial stress

The fertility team monitors treatment closely to reduce and manage potential risks.

8. Why Consider IVF Treatment in India?

India has specialised fertility centres offering:

• Advanced embryology laboratories
• IVF and ICSI
• Embryo cryopreservation
• Genetic testing in appropriate cases
• Fertility specialists and multidisciplinary care

9. How Can Medavelle Help?

Medavelle can assist with:

Medical-record review → Fertility specialist coordination → Fertility-centre selection → Treatment planning → Cost estimation → International patient arrangements.

10. What Should the Patient Do Next?

Share fertility reports → Fertility specialist evaluation → Personalised IVF planning → Ovarian stimulation → Egg retrieval & fertilisation → Embryo transfer → Pregnancy test.