Good Candidates for In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)

Starting the family of your dreams can be easier said than done. Issues related to male infertility and female infertility can make natural conception very difficult for a number of people. Thankfully there are a number of different fertility options to consider that can make starting a family a reality for you.

One of the most popular options in assisted reproduction is in vitro fertilization, which you may know better as IVF. We’d like to take a moment right now to go over the basics of IVF treatment and who would best benefit from this sort of reproductive medicine treatment.

What is in vitro fertilization (IVF)?

IVF is a process in which eggs are retrieved from a woman and then inseminated in a lab setting in order to ensure proper/successful fertilization. Once the egg is fertilized, the fertility specialist will place the incubated embryo back into the womb so that it can be carried to term.

General Candidacy for In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)

The ideal candidates for in vitro fertilization are those who have had trouble conceiving naturally for at least one year if under the age of 35 or for 6 months if age 35 or older. Many couples will have tried and failed to conceive with intrauterine insemination (IUI) cycles. Women should be in generally good health and understand all of the potential risks and benefits associated with the IVF process. Even women who suffer from conditions such as endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) may be able to benefit from IVF. You will learn more about IVF and your candidacy for it during your personal consultation.

Age Concerns and In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)

In general, in vitro fertilization (IVF) is best for younger women (i.e., patients younger than 40). Birth defects and complications tend to be more common in older women, and so many fertility specialists will often not consider in vitro fertilization a viable option for women beyond a certain age.

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) and Female Infertility Matters

Even serious female infertility issues can be addressed through in vitro fertilization (IVF). We pointed out endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) above, but there are other matters that can be addressed as well.

Even if a woman does not have viable eggs of her own, an egg donor may be used in these instances. An egg donor is a woman who provides eggs to an individual or couple so that they can start a family of their own.

In addition to egg donors, it is also possible to hire a surrogate carrier. A gestational surrogate carrier is a woman who will carry the embryo to term for a woman who is unable to do so on her own. This is often a good option for women who have suffered prior miscarriages or have serious physiological issues that may make natural pregnancy potentially dangerous to the mother and or developing child.

Helping You Make Smart Choices About Infertility Treatment

During your visit to our practice, we will be more than happy to answer all of your questions and address all of your concerns. Our goal is to ensure that you can make an informed decision about all of your options for fertility treatment.

Learn More About Fertility Treatment Options

If you would like more information about in vitro fertilization (IVF) and your many other options out there for advanced fertility treatment, be sure to contact our San Antonio fertility center today. The entire team here looks forward to meeting you in person and helping you achieve all of your goals when it comes to starting the family of your dreams.