Common Myths and Facts About IVF Treatment in Kolkata

Among various treatments such as surgical procedures, intrauterine insemination, and others that are aimed at mitigating issues related to infertility, in vitro fertilisation (IVF) comes out as the best. Globally, it has been seen that2.5% of all newborns are conceived through IVF treatment. The reason for availing of this assisted reproductive measure includes the drastic lifestyle that the working class goes through in combination with various physiological issues. 

The demand for treatment for reproductive system issues has forced the opening of numerous IVF centres worldwide and in India. Among all, Apollo Fertility is a leading IVF centre in Kolkata, offering quality IVF treatments at affordable prices. 

However, as the number of these treatments has increased, various myths and prejudices have been generated among the general population regarding these treatment methods. In this blog, we will discuss the common myths and facts associated with IVF treatments in Kolkata. 

Myths and Facts About IVF

Despite the continuous awareness about the issues regarding reproductive problems due to a lack of knowledge among the people, various myths lie concerning the different procedures of infertility treatment. Some of the most relevant myths about IVF treatment are: 

• Myth 1: IVF Treatment is Always Successful:

Generally, couples undergoing the treatment and the general population think that the process of IVF guarantees 100% success.

Fact: IVF treatment increases the chances of pregnancy manifolds, but it is not guaranteed to be successful every time. IVF success rates in Kolkata or any other region depend on various factors, such as fertility issues, age, quality of sperm and eggs, and physiological factors. 

The success factor does not depend on any variable, such as the place or price of treatments. For example, the IVF cost in Kolkata is lower compared to the cost in Mumbai, Delhi and other metropolitan cities. Still, the success rate is relatively similar, even more in some cases. 

• Myth 2: The Only Way To Conceive In Cases of Infertility Is IVF 

Though IVF is the best treatment available for cases related to infertility, it is not the only one. 

Fact: Various options fall under Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART), such as Intrauterine Insemination (IUI). Other treatment methods include the use of fertility medicines and surgical processes. 

• Myth 3: IVF Treatment Results In Twins or Multiples

There is a prejudice among general people that conceiving through IVF treatment produces twins or multiples contrary to single offspring.

Fact: It can be said that IVF treatment increases the chances of having twins as the transfer of more than one embryo is done during the embryo transfer process. However, these days, with advanced technological assistance, single embryo transfers are becoming common for reducing the chances of conceiving multiple. 

• Myth 4: IVF Treatment Increases The Risk of Baby’s Health

Research has shown that there is no direct connection between IVF and the degraded physiological health of the offspring.

Fact: Generally, babies conceived through IVF treatment are healthy. There might be a few risk factors, but they can be eliminated through medications. The overall chances of health risks related to IVF are low.

• Myth 5: IVF Increases Health Problems in the Mothers

There is no proven research that justifies this myth. Still, problems may be caused due to any particular mother's physiological complications, but IVF treatment does not have a direct relation with causing problems. 

Fact: The mother may encounter a few temporary side effects, such as bloating, headache, cramping, and constipation. Critical complications are generally not observed, but drastic problems can be faced in very few cases. 

• Myth 6: Eating Pineapple Improves IVF Outcome

Having protein with your meal and eating fruit is healthy, but there is no such relationship that says eating pineapple is going to yield better results.

Fact: Eating nutrient-rich food helps provide essential vitamins to the developing embryo, and pineapple is no exception. 

• Myth 7: Stimulation of The Ovary Causes Cancer

This is one of the biggest myths among the general people of India that any kind of reproductive treatment causes ovarian cancer.

Fact: The current research has found no connection between any reproductive treatment and cancer. IVF treatment requires the stimulation of the ovary, but in any way, any kind of radioactive procedure is used in IVF. The use of radioactive elements in the treatment may increase the chances of the development of malignant cells, but in IVF, no such procedure is used. 

• Myth 8: In The First Attempt, IVF treatment is Never Successful

The general population has a common notion that in the first attempt IVF fails.

Fact: Most couples suffering from issues of infertility have tried IVF treatment and have successfully conceived in the first attempt. At the same time, it has been seen couples have failed to conceive successfully on the first attempt, but the reason behind such results was individual circumstances. 

• Myth 9: In IVF Success, Age Has No Role

People believe that age does not affect the success rate of IVF treatment and that couples of any age can conceive successfully through IVF, which is wrong.

Fact: Age is one of the most important which determines the result of IVF treatment. Women under the age of 35 have higher chances of a successful pregnancy compared to women under the age of 40. The hormones that are required for successful pregnancy get weaker as age advances in women. 

• Myth 10: IVF is Very Expensive For Most People

Generally people think that the cost associated with IVF treatment is very high, which is wrong as most of the IVF facilities offer their services at a convenient price range. 

Fact: The cost in India ranges from 1,00,000 INR to 3,00,000 INR. The IVF cost in Kolkata is from 60,000 INR to 2,00,000 INR, which is less compared with other cities. One of the finest facilities is Apollo Fertility, which offers its service at about 90,000 INR to 2,50,000 INR, an amount that people of all classes can afford. 

• Myth 11: Results from IVF Treatment are Always Girl Offspring

This is another applicable myth among the general public. Everyone thinks that any form of fertility treatment results in female offerings. 

Fact: Sex is determined by the chromosomal makeup of the sperm and eggs. There is no connection between IVF treatment and the determination of the sex of the offspring. 

Final Words

IVF treatment, being the best and most availed treatment for issues related to infertility, attracts a lot of criticism and social stigma from the general population in India. There are various myths related to the IVF cost in Kolkata, Mumbai, Delhi and other metropolitan cities and other aspects related to the procedures related to the treatment. 

Despite the myths and stigmas related to the topic, Apollo Fertility has successfully carried out approximately 12,000 IVF treatments in Kolkata and surrounding areas of West Bengal. The government and several prominent medical associations can further debunk the myths by constantly spreading awareness. Get in touch with us if you want to avail of the best services in Mumbai.