IVF Treatment for Couples Struggling to Conceive: Guide by Dr. Jay Mehta

IVF (In Vitro Fertilization), also called test tube baby treatment, is a medical procedure in which a woman's eggs and a man's sperm are combined outside the body in a specialized laboratory to create an embryo, which is then transferred into the uterus.

The term "in vitro" means "in glass," referring to the glass laboratory dish where fertilization originally took place.

Today, the process uses advanced culture media and climate-controlled incubators that precisely replicate the conditions inside the human body.

IVF is used both as an infertility treatment and as part of gestational surrogacy arrangements. It is the most commonly performed and most successful of all assisted reproductive technologies (ART).

Key facts about IVF

• 13–17 million babies have been born worldwide through IVF since 1978 (Science Alert)

• One ART-conceived baby is born every 35 seconds globally

• In India, 2.5–3.5 lakh IVF cycles are performed annually, growing at ~15% per year; metropolitan centers like Mumbai report live birth rates of 40–52% for women under 35.

• Success rates range from 40–50% per transfer for women under 35 at experienced centres

• Frozen embryo transfer (FET) now accounts for ~50% of all IVF cycles globally. Vitrification has transformed outcomes for patients requiring multiple transfers

• A typical IVF cycle takes 4–6 weeks from start to pregnancy test; a full frozen transfer cycle adds a further 4–6 weeks

IVF is recommended when natural conception or simpler fertility treatments like IUI have not succeeded or when specific medical conditions make IVF the most appropriate option.

A fertility specialist will evaluate both partners before recommending IVF.

Medical Conditions That May Require IVF to Get Pregnant

• Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), often formally referred to as Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS), is the most common cause of ovulatory infertility, affecting 1 in 10 women.

In PCOS, multiple follicles develop in the ovaries, but ovulation is irregular or absent. When medication-based ovulation induction and IUI cycles fail, IVF with carefully calibrated stimulation protocols offers excellent results.

Success rates in PCOS patients under 35 can exceed 50% per frozen embryo transfer cycle.

• Endometriosis

Endometriosis causes uterine lining tissue to grow outside the uterus on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and pelvic lining, leading to scarring, inflammation, and impaired fertility.

IVF is a strong option for women with endometriosis scarring, especially when combined with Dr. Mehta's fertility-preserving excisional surgery to remove the disease before the IVF cycle

• Tubal factor infertility

Scarred, damaged, missing, or blocked fallopian tubes prevent sperm from reaching the egg.

IVF completely bypasses the fallopian tubes by fertilizing the egg in the laboratory and transferring the embryo directly into the uterus, making it far more effective than surgical repair in most cases.

• Male factor infertility

Low sperm count (oligospermia), poor motility (asthenospermia), abnormal morphology, or no sperm count (azoospermia) are major reasons for infertility. IVF combined with ICSI, where a single sperm is injected directly into each egg, successfully overcomes most forms of male factor infertility.

Male factor infertility contributes to 40–50% of all cases.

• Unexplained Infertility

When all fertility tests return normal, but pregnancy has not occurred after 12 months (or 6 months for women over 35), the diagnosis is unexplained infertility. IVF identifies and resolves fertilization failures invisible in standard testing.

• Failed IUI Cycles:

IUI (intrauterine insemination) has a 10–20% success rate per cycle. After 3–4 failed IUI cycles, IVF is the medically recommended next step with significantly higher success rates per attempt.

• Low Ovarian Reserve / Low AMH

Women with low Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) have fewer eggs available. IVF's controlled stimulation retrieves as many eggs as possible in one cycle. Advanced protocols like DuoStim (dual stimulation within one menstrual cycle) can double egg yield in poor responders.

• Advanced Maternal Age (35 and Above).

Egg quality and quantity decline significantly after 35. Women aged 35–37 who have not conceived after 6 months, and women 38+ who have not conceived after 3 months, are advised to proceed to IVF promptly.

• Recurrent Pregnancy Loss:

Women with two or more consecutive pregnancy losses benefit from IVF combined with Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT) to select chromosomally normal embryos, significantly reducing miscarriage risk.

• Genetic Disease Carriers:

Couples carrying hereditary conditions (thalassemia, cystic fibrosis, BRCA mutations) can use IVF with PGT-M to screen embryos before transfer, preventing transmission of the disease to the child.

Also suitable for single women, LGBT couples, and oncology patients undergoing fertility preservation before chemotherapy or radiation. To know more, call 1800-268-4000

You should consider IVF when you have been trying to conceive without success, and one or more of the following conditions apply. Do not wait unnecessarily; earlier evaluation and treatment improve outcomes.

Consider IVF now if:

• You are under 35 and have been trying for 12+ months without pregnancy
• You are 35–37 and have been trying for 6+ months without pregnancy
• You are 38 or above; seek a fertility evaluation immediately (do not wait 12 months)
• You have been diagnosed with blocked or damaged fallopian tubes
• You have moderate-to-severe endometriosis (Stage III or IV)
• Your husband has severe oligospermia, azoospermia, or very high DNA fragmentation
• You have had 2+ failed IUI cycles
• You have a very low AMH (below 1.0 ng/mL)
• You have experienced 2 or more pregnancy losses
• You or your partner is a genetic disease carrier (thalassemia, cystic fibrosis, etc.)
• You are a single woman or LGBT couple planning a family
• You are about to undergo chemotherapy or radiation and want to preserve fertility

📞 Not sure if IVF is right for you? Speak directly with Our Team: 1800-268-4000

A complete IVF cycle takes 4–6 weeks on average, though this varies by individual protocol. Below is a week-by-week overview:

IVF success rates depend primarily on a woman's age, ovarian reserve, embryo quality, and the underlying cause of infertility. The most meaningful measure is the live birth rate per embryo transfer, not a "positive test rate."

IVF Success Rates by Age (Live Birth Rate per Transfer)

Cumulative Success After Multiple Cycles

At Shree IVF Clinic, women who undergo their first IVF cycle have a success rate of approximately 33%. By the third complete cycle, the cumulative chance of pregnancy rises to 45–53%. Success rates are increasing across all age groups as protocols and lab technology improve.

A note on comparing success rates: Always ask for live birth rate per transfer, not "clinical pregnancy rate." These are different numbers. Clinics that report only positive test rates appear to have higher success but may include early losses.

The cost of IVF treatment in Mumbai ranges from ₹1,50,000 to ₹2,80,000 for a basic cycle. Total costs, including medications, ICSI, and a frozen embryo transfer, typically range from ₹3,00,000 to ₹4,00,000.

At Shree IVF Clinic, we maintain complete transparency in all treatment costs with no hidden charges. Under the guidance of Dr. Jay Mehta, one of India's leading IVF specialists, we aim to provide affordable IVF treatment in Mumbai with a high success rate.

IVF success rates depend primarily on a woman's age, ovarian reserve, embryo quality, and the underlying cause of infertility. The most meaningful measure is the live birth rate per embryo transfer, not a "positive test rate."

IVF Success Rates by Age (Live Birth Rate per Transfer)

Cumulative Success After Multiple Cycles

At Shree IVF Clinic, women who undergo their first IVF cycle have a success rate of approximately 33%. By the third complete cycle, the cumulative chance of pregnancy rises to 45–53%. Success rates are increasing across all age groups as protocols and lab technology improve.

A note on comparing success rates: Always ask for live birth rate per transfer, not "clinical pregnancy rate." These are different numbers. Clinics that report only positive test rates appear to have higher success but may include early losses.