Advantages and Disadvantages of IVF

In vitro fertilisation (IVF) is one of the best-known fertility treatments. However, it’s also associated with several advantages and disadvantages you might not know about, which could inform your choice of which fertility treatment to use.

This post explains the potential benefits and drawbacks of IVF so that you can feel confident when beginning your fertility journey. Learn everything you need about IVF with the Bristol Centre for Reproductive Medicine (BCRM).

What is IVF?

IVF is a fertility treatment where experts fertilise an egg with sperm in a laboratory and implant it back in your womb in the hopes of pregnancy. One complete cycle of IVF can take up to three weeks but it can also take longer, depending on personal circumstances.

At BCRM, we can perform IVF with you and your partner’s sperm and eggs (frozen or fresh) or donor eggs and sperm.

Advantages of IVF

IVF has many possible advantages for couples and single women who want children. Let’s discuss some of the potential benefits of this fertility treatment.

Success rates

IVF success rates will vary from person to person based on various factors. However, experts consider IVF to be one of the most successful fertility treatments.

At BCRM, we have the best success rates in the south-west of England and Wales, providing the highest possibility of having a baby through IVF.

It’s essential to remember that success rates are only a guide – your results from IVF can differ. So, you should not take success rates as a guarantee of pregnancy.

Suitability

IVF is a highly suitable form of fertility treatment for many families and people with certain medical conditions.

Single women and same-sex female couples can opt for IVF when looking to grow or start their families. Intracouple egg donation is a treatment for same-sex female couples where one partner donates their eggs for the IVF process, and the other partner carries the pregnancy.

IVF offers families like this the chance to have biological children using their eggs or donor sperm or eggs.

Some people may also have fertility challenges, meaning they cannot get pregnant naturally. Problems like blocked fallopian tubes, ovulation issues or a low sperm count can all require fertility treatment for people to become parents.

At BCRM, we personalise IVF for people experiencing fertility challenges. For example, if you have a low sperm count, we can use the advanced form of IVF known as intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). This involves injecting each egg with sperm to overcome the challenges associated with low sperm count or poor motility. We can use donor sperm if necessary too.

Preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A)

Another advantage of IVF is being able to test for chromosomal abnormalities before placing the fertilised egg back into your womb. PGT-A is where we screen fertilised embryos to ensure we insert those with the best chance of implantation and pregnancy.

PGT-A can benefit women with a history of recurrent miscarriages and those with previous failed IVF attempts.

Preserve your future fertility

If you’ve previously decided to freeze your eggs or sperm, we can use them in your IVF treatment. Opting for IVF in the future means you can preserve your fertility and start your family at a time that’s right for you.

Possible disadvantages of IVF

Although IVF can be an ideal option for some people’s fertility treatment, it’s important to consider the possible disadvantages. Here are some of the potential drawbacks of choosing IVF.

Factors that influence IVF success rates

Despite being a successful fertility treatment for some people, no one can guarantee that IVF will work.

Various factors can influence the success of IVF, including:

Your age – being over the age of 38 significantly decreases your chances of falling pregnant naturally or through fertility treatments like IVF, as your eggs’ quality will have declined
Your lifestyle – smoking and drinking alcohol may harm your chances of falling pregnant through IVF
The cause of your fertility challenges – some fertility problems may decrease the success rate of IVF
Being over or underweight – being at either end of the weight spectrum can affect your reproductive health and make becoming pregnant a challenge, even with IVF’s help

Emotional and psychological effects of IVF

Going through a cycle or multiple cycles of IVF can take a toll on your emotional wellbeing.

IVF can be psychologically challenging due to the treatment’s uncertainty, and waiting to discover if you’re pregnant after a fertility expert implants the embryo can be the hardest part for some people.

It can also take a toll on couples and individuals, leading to feelings of anxiety, excitement and disappointment – causing a rollercoaster of emotions.

IVF cost considerations

IVF is sometimes available on the NHS, but the criteria you must meet are rigorous and vary across the country. So, most people need to pay for IVF out of their own pocket.

At BCRM, our IVF packages start at £3,999, so you should consider whether this cost is appropriate for you. You might also need multiple cycles, which can increase the price even further.

It’s vital to consider what’s included in the price of your package. You can learn more about our packages and what’s included when you choose BCRM. We aim to make fertility treatments like IVF accessible, so are as transparent with our pricing as possible to help you make the right financial decision.

Potential risks and side effects of IVF

Although experts consider IVF a safe fertility treatment, there are possible side effects and risks. One potential risk is ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). This condition is where the medicine used to enhance egg production overstimulates your ovaries, causing symptoms like bloating and pain. OHSS can be treated, but it’s one side effect of IVF to be aware of.

Multiple pregnancies are another possible side effect of IVF. This can occur if we insert more than one embryo into your womb. In most circumstances, single embryo transfers are advised to give you the best chance of one healthy baby’s birth.

Is IVF worth it?

Whether IVF is worth it will depend on your experience. For some people, IVF brings them the joy of growing their families but, for others, it might not be suitable or work out as expected.

However, IVF can be an excellent option when having fertility treatments, and knowing the potential benefits and drawbacks can help you make an informed decision as to whether it suits you.

Our team is always on hand to help you decide which fertility treatment best suits your needs. You can also learn more about IVF in our frequently asked questions.

Start your IVF journey with BCRM

Choosing the correct fertility treatment for your needs is crucial, which is why understanding the potential advantages and disadvantages is so important.

IVF is just one of the fertility treatments we offer at BCRM, so why not contact our team? We would be more than happy to discuss your options to help you begin or continue your journey to parenthood.

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