The Road to parenthood

For many couples and individuals, the journey to parenthood is filled with excitement, anticipation, and, for some, unexpected challenges. When conception doesn’t happen as planned, it can bring a mix of emotional stress, confusion, and heartache. The truth is, infertility is more common than most realise, affecting nearly one in six couples worldwide. Fortunately, advances in reproductive medicine have opened doors that were once closed, and one of the most effective options available today is in vitro fertilisation (IVF).

IVF is an assisted reproductive technology (ART) that involves fertilising an egg with sperm outside the body in a controlled laboratory setting, followed by transferring the resulting embryo into the uterus. While IVF is not the first step for everyone, there are specific signs and medical conditions that may indicate it’s time to consider this advanced fertility treatment.

This blog will help you understand when IVF might be the right next step in your fertility journey. Based on medical evidence, diagnostic indicators, and expert guidance.

Time as a Primary Indicator: When to Stop Waiting

1. Duration of trying.

Time plays a critical role in fertility decisions. As a general guideline:

• For women under 35, if you’ve been trying to conceive naturally for 12 months or more without success, it may be time to consult a fertility specialist.
• For women aged 35 or older, experts recommend seeking help after six months of unsuccessful attempts, since fertility naturally declines with age.

These timeframes are standard clinical benchmarks that help determine when to transition from natural conception efforts to medical evaluation and treatment — possibly including IVF.

2. Failing Less-Invasive Treatments

Many couples begin their fertility journey with less invasive options like ovulation induction (OI) or intrauterine insemination (IUI). However, if:

• You’ve undergone multiple cycles of ovulation induction without success, or
• You’ve tried 3–6 cycles of IUI without achieving pregnancy.

It might be appropriate to discuss IVF with your fertility doctor. IVF offers high success rates, especially when previous methods have failed.

When a diagnosis points directly to IVF

Certain medical conditions make IVF not just an option — but often the most effective or only path to conception.

1. TAURAL FACTOR INFERTILITY

If you’ve been diagnosed with blocked or severely damaged fallopian tubes, natural conception is extremely difficult since eggs cannot reach the uterus. IVF completely bypasses the fallopian tubes, making it the most effective treatment for this condition.

2. Severe endometriosis

For those with moderate to severe endometriosis, scar tissue and pelvic inflammation can interfere with fertilisation and implantation. In such cases, IVF provides the best chance of achieving a pregnancy, especially when surgery or medication alone hasn’t led to success.

3. Ovulatory Dysfunction (PCOS & Related Issues)

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is one of the leading causes of infertility due to irregular or absent ovulation. While fertility medications can help many women with PCOS, others experience chronic ovulation despite treatment. In those cases, IVF allows direct retrieval of eggs, bypassing the ovulation issue entirely.

4. Uterine issues.

Certain uterine abnormalities, such as fibroids or structural problems, can interfere with implantation. IVF allows fertility specialists to select and transfer embryos under optimal uterine conditions, sometimes after corrective procedures that improve success rates.

Male Factor and Unexplained Infertility

1. Severe Male Factor Infertility

When a man’s sperm count is very low, or when his sperm motility (movement) or morphology (shape) is abnormal, natural conception is nearly impossible. IVF combined with Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) — where a single sperm is injected directly into an egg — has revolutionised male infertility treatment. This technique significantly increases the chances of fertilisation and a successful pregnancy.

2. Unexplained infertility

Sometimes, all tests — including hormone levels, ovulation tracking, semen analysis, and imaging — come back normal, yet pregnancy still doesn’t occur. This is termed unexplained infertility. In these cases, IVF provides valuable insights into fertilisation and embryo development, helping overcome subtle biological challenges that standard testing can’t detect.

Advanced Planning and Genetic Concerns

1. Advanced maternal age

Women in their late 30s or early 40s face reduced fertility due to a natural decline in egg quality and ovarian reserve. Because time is crucial, IVF offers the fastest and most controlled route to conception by optimising egg retrieval, fertilisation, and embryo transfer. Advanced techniques such as Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT) can also help ensure that only genetically healthy embryos are used.

2. Recurrent Pregnancy Loss (RPL)

Experiencing multiple miscarriages is deeply painful, both physically and emotionally. If you’ve had two or more consecutive pregnancy losses, IVF combined with genetic testing of embryos (PGT-A) can help identify chromosomal abnormalities before transfer — reducing the risk of another miscarriage and improving live birth rates.

3. Fertility preservation

IVF isn’t only for those struggling to conceive today. It’s also a vital tool for fertility preservation. Women facing cancer treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation, or those with medical conditions that threaten ovarian function, can use IVF to harvest and freeze eggs or embryos for future use. This proactive step offers peace of mind and the possibility of parenthood later on.

Conclusion: Take the Next Step with confidence

Considering IVF is not a sign of defeat — it’s a proactive, empowered decision on your fertility journey. Every individual’s path to parenthood is unique, and choosing IVF means you’re taking control of your reproductive health with the support of science and expert care.

While understanding the signs can guide your next steps, only a qualified fertility specialist can determine whether IVF is the best option for you. Diagnostic tests, age, medical history, and emotional readiness all play a role in creating a treatment plan tailored to your needs.

Your Partner in Parenthood — Haritha Hospital

At Haritha Hospital, we understand the hopes, fears, and challenges that accompany infertility. Our compassionate fertility specialists use advanced diagnostic tools and cutting-edge IVF technology to personalise every patient’s treatment journey.

If you recognise any of these signs or have questions about your next steps, don’t wait.
Book a confidential consultation today with the fertility experts at Haritha Hospital. Together, we’ll explore your unique situation and create a plan to help you achieve your dream of parenthood.