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10 IVF Myths Busted โ€“ The Truth About Fertility Treatment in India

February 2025  ยท  Dr. Ankita Mandal, MD (OBGYN)

Misinformation about IVF can delay critical treatment and cause unnecessary fear. As an IVF specialist, I regularly address these myths in my clinic. Let me set the record straight.

The 10 Most Common IVF Myths โ€” Debunked

โŒ Myth 1โœ… Fact

"IVF babies are not healthy / are abnormal"

Myth: IVF children are physically or mentally different from naturally conceived children.

Fact: Decades of research show that IVF children have the same health outcomes as naturally conceived children. The procedure does not alter a child's DNA or development.

โŒ Myth 2โœ… Fact

"IVF is extremely painful"

Myth: IVF involves unbearable surgical pain throughout the process.

Fact: Egg retrieval is done under light sedation. Most women describe stimulation injections as mild discomfort, and embryo transfer usually causes little more than mild cramping. Experiences vary, and your team can help manage discomfort.

โŒ Myth 3โœ… Fact

"IVF always results in twins or triplets"

Myth: IVF always causes multiple pregnancies.

Fact: Modern IVF uses elective single embryo transfer (eSET) to minimize twins. While twins are possible, responsible clinics avoid transferring multiple embryos routinely, especially in younger patients.

โŒ Myth 4โœ… Fact

"IVF causes early menopause because it uses up your eggs"

Myth: IVF depletes your egg reserve and causes premature menopause.

Fact: IVF stimulates eggs that would have been naturally wasted in that cycle. It does not "borrow from the future." Your overall long-term ovarian reserve is not diminished by IVF cycles.

โŒ Myth 5โœ… Fact

"IVF is only for women โ€” it's always the woman's problem"

Myth: Infertility is always the woman's issue.

Fact: Male factor infertility accounts for about 40โ€“50% of all infertility cases. IVF with ICSI specifically addresses male infertility. A semen analysis is always part of the initial workup.

โŒ Myth 6โœ… Fact

"You must rest completely (bed rest) after embryo transfer"

Myth: Bed rest for weeks after embryo transfer improves chances of success.

Fact: Evidence shows that bed rest does NOT improve IVF success rates. Normal, light daily activities are encouraged. Excessive bed rest may actually reduce blood flow to the uterus.

โŒ Myth 7โœ… Fact

"IVF always works on the first try"

Myth: One IVF cycle is enough and will guarantee a baby.

Fact: First-cycle success rates range from 40โ€“70% depending on age. Many couples need 2โ€“3 cycles. Cumulative success rates over multiple cycles are significantly higher than single-cycle rates.

โŒ Myth 8โœ… Fact

"IVF hormones cause cancer"

Myth: Hormonal stimulation injections in IVF cause breast or ovarian cancer.

Fact: Large-scale studies have found no credible link between IVF hormones and cancer. The stimulation period is short and the hormone levels used are within safe medical ranges.

โŒ Myth 9โœ… Fact

"After 40, IVF is pointless"

Myth: Women over 40 cannot benefit from IVF.

Fact: IVF is absolutely viable after 40. Success rates are lower with own eggs (20โ€“35%), but donor egg IVF can achieve 50โ€“65% success even for women in their late 40s. PGT-A may help in some cases; discuss its benefits and limitations with your doctor.

โŒ Myth 10โœ… Fact

"IVF is unnatural / against religious values"

Myth: IVF is an "unnatural" or morally unacceptable procedure.

Fact: IVF simply assists the natural process of fertilization and is practised within ethical guidelines globally. Many religious authorities support IVF as a compassionate answer to infertility using the couple's own genetic material.

Have More Questions About IVF?

Book a consultation with Dr. Ankita Mandal for candid, evidence-based answers.

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From the Maatritva editorial team: If you are searching for the IVF centre in Newtown, our fertility specialists in Newtown and across Kolkata can guide you through every step of your IVF journey.