In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)

Source: PIB
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Overview

1. News in Brief
2. About In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
3. Fertility business in India

Why in News?

Goa is offering free in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment, a first among Indian states.

News in Brief

• Almost 100 parents have already registered for the treatment.
• The treatments in India cost between Rs 70,000 to Rs 3 lakh per cycle in many hospitals.
• The funding is set to be supplied by approved corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs.
• The department is serving a substantial number of patients annually, including 19,000 OPD patients

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF): IVF is a complex medical procedure used to help individuals and couples who are struggling with infertility conceive a child.

• It involves combining an egg and sperm outside the body in a laboratory dish to create an embryo.

  

• Once the embryo is formed, it is then implanted into the woman’s uterus, where it has the potential to develop into a pregnancy.
• IVF can be used to address various causes of infertility, including fallopian tube blockages, male infertility, unexplained infertility, and certain medical conditions.
• It is also sometimes used in cases where other fertility treatments have not been successful.
• IVF is a significant advancement in reproductive medicine and has helped many couples and individuals achieve their dream of parenthood.
• However, the process can be physically and emotionally demanding, and success rates can vary based on various factors such as age and underlying medical conditions.

The IVF process typically involves several steps

• Ovulation Stimulation: The woman is given hormonal medications to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs instead of the usual one egg during a menstrual cycle.
• Egg Retrieval: Once the eggs are mature, a medical procedure is performed to retrieve the eggs from the ovaries using a thin needle.
• Sperm Collection: A semen sample is collected from the male partner or a sperm donor.
• Fertilization: The retrieved eggs are fertilized with the sperm in a laboratory dish. The resulting embryos are monitored for development.
• Embryo Transfer: The healthiest embryos are selected for transfer into the woman’s uterus. This is typically done a few days after fertilization.
• Implantation: If the embryo successfully attaches to the uterine lining, pregnancy can occur.

Fertility business in India

• The fertility business in India has experienced significant growth and development in recent years.
• Fertility business in the country has expanded 15-20% each year over the last five years.
• The country presently sees between 250000 to 300,000 IVF treatments each year.
• This increase is due to the country’s underlying surge in infertility, which now affects at least 15% of Indian couples.
• Fertility disorders affect around 2.75 crore Indian couples
  • This number is expected to climb as sedentary lifestyles, stress, obesity, and other medical conditions become more prevalent.

Key Facts about the fertility industry in India

• Rising Demand
  • The increasing incidence of infertility due to various factors such as lifestyle changes, delayed marriages, and medical conditions has led to a growing demand for fertility treatments in India.
• Medical Tourism
  • India has become a popular destination for medical tourism, including fertility treatments.
  • International patients seek fertility treatments in India due to the availability of advanced medical facilities, skilled doctors, and comparatively lower costs.
• Fertility Clinics
  • Across major cities in India, numerous fertility clinics and assisted reproductive technology (ART) centers have emerged.
  • These clinics offer a range of treatments including in vitro fertilization (IVF), intrauterine insemination (IUI), surrogacy, and egg donation.
• Advanced Technologies
  • Fertility clinics in India have adopted advanced technologies and procedures, ensuring higher success rates for fertility treatments.
  • They offer services such as preimplantation genetic testing, embryo freezing, and more.
• Affordability
  • Indians 
    • Sometimes regarded excessive, limiting access to these services for many people.
    • Many patients have no idea how much the treatment will wind up costing throughout its whole lifecycle
  • For Foreigners 
    • The cost of fertility treatments in India is generally lower than in many Western countries.
    • This affordability factor has contributed to India’s popularity as a fertility destination.
• Regulation and Guidelines
  • The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has laid down guidelines and regulations to govern the practice of assisted reproductive technology in the country.
  • These guidelines address ethical concerns and ensure patient safety.
• Surrogacy
  • India was once known for commercial surrogacy services, attracting couples from around the world.
  • However, in recent years, regulations have become stricter, and commercial surrogacy for foreign nationals has been banned.
• Ethical and Legal Considerations
  • The ethical implications of fertility treatments, surrogacy, and egg donation have prompted discussions about the need for comprehensive regulations to protect the rights of all parties involved.
• Challenges and Concerns
  • While the growth of the fertility industry has been positive, there have been concerns related to ethical practices, the exploitation of surrogates, and the lack of comprehensive legal frameworks.
• Counseling and Support
  • Many fertility clinics offer counseling and psychological support to couples undergoing fertility treatments, recognizing the emotional and psychological challenges that can arise.

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