What Are the Reasons I Might Not Be a Candidate for IVF?
Mar 02, 2024
IVF — or in vitro fertilization — is a procedure for couples struggling with fertility issues. It involves the combination of healthy sperm and eggs in a laboratory that we then implant inside your uterus for gestation.
IVF and treatments like it become more popular every year. In 2023, 42% of adults said they had used fertility treatments or knew someone who had. But while IVF is effective for many people, why might someone not be a good candidate for this procedure?
At Gen 5 Fertility Center, we will discuss all your options and help you find the treatment that best suits your needs. Dr. Samuel Wood, Dr. Benito Villanueva, and Dr. Martin Bastuba understand IVF and can help you determine if this program is for you or if another option might be better.
Many people think they know what IVF is but don’t realize there are nuances to the procedure. In fact, two people can go through IVF and have entirely different experiences.
First, the program doesn’t always have to follow the same steps. For example, some couples will have one partner carry a child with both partners' DNA. However, in some cases, the IVF program involves a sperm donor or an egg donor.
Second, the procedure could be successful in the first round, or multiple rounds might be necessary to create the desired result.
Finally, some people arrive at their first fertility appointment thinking IVF is the only option, but after learning more, they realize other procedures might suit them better.
But why might IVF not be right for you, and how can you know before beginning the process?
IVF is a highly individualized, effective program for infertile couples who want to conceive. However, this procedure isn’t right for everyone. If some of the reasons below speak to you, you might not be a candidate for IVF.
IVF can help significantly in situations where one or both partners has a medical condition that makes natural fertilization more difficult. These can include PCOS, endometriosis, blocked tubes, sperm abnormality, or low sperm count.
However, some health issues could make IVF less likely to succeed. These include fibroids, abnormalities in the uterus, and hormonal problems. In this case, the typical process of IVF might not be best for you, but another procedure — like surrogacy — could be more helpful.
No particular age is considered the cutoff for IVF. However, the older you are, the less likely IVF is to work. You might want to discuss this with your provider to determine if your age or likelihood of experiencing early menopause could be a factor in your candidacy for IVF.
In some cases, weight can be a factor that affects the chances of success with IVF. Some patients with very high BMIs may want to lose weight before beginning the procedure or might want to consider another option. Again, this varies greatly from person to person, so discuss it with your provider.
IVF can be an expensive procedure, and while your insurance may cover a portion of it, some patients don’t experience these benefits. We don’t recommend pursuing IVF at all costs, so we encourage our patients to consider less costly options first.
There are many options available to people who want to become parents. Fertility science has come a long way, and even if you determine that IVF isn’t right for you, there are many opportunities available to help you build your family.
To learn more, visit our San Diego, California, office. Call today or book an appointment online at your convenience.