World IVF Day, held annually on July 25, is meant to commemorate the birth of Louise Brown, the first baby conceived through in vitro fertilisation in 1978. The day signifies the advancements and reach of technology in medicine, especially in reproduction and fertility. The day also serves as a reminder for couples to be hopeful if they are unable to have a baby naturally.
The hustle culture in modern age is also a harbinger of certain lifestyle woes that have impacted the general fertility health of the masses and their ability to reproduce. The rapidly surging fertility issues in both men and women have paved the way for the advancement of IVF in India.
Even though IVF has gained immense recognition in the last couple of decades, there are many myths around the subject. For example, babies conceived via IVF are more prone to deformities or other medical disorders, IVF guarantees pregnancy, childbearing can be delayed as IVF gives time among many more.
We spoke to Dr. Supriya Puranik, Director – Obstetrics, Gynaecology and IVF; Sahyadri Hospitals MomStory, Shivajinagar, Pune; and Dr Vaishali Chaudhary, Director- IVF & Fertility, Sahyadri Hospitals MomStory, Nagar Road, Pune,about the biggest myths surrounding the procedure of in vitro fertilisation and the facts behind them.
But first, here’s everything you need to know about IVF.
World IVF Day 2025: What is in vitro fertilisation (IVF)?
In vitro fertilisation or IVF is a procedure in which fertilisation occurs outside the human body. Talking about the procedure in simple terms, Dr. Supriya Puranik said, “Nowadays, a growing number of couples are using IVF (In Vitro Fertilisation) and other medical assistance to begin a family. In this procedure, a sperm and egg are fertilized in a lab outside of the body, and the resultant embryo is subsequently inserted into the woman’s uterus.”
She added, “It is a proven medical procedure that has assisted millions of couples worldwide, including those in our nation, in becoming parents. However, despite increased awareness, there are still a lot of misconceptions and myths surrounding IVF.”
World IVF Day 2025: Fertility experts debunk 8 biggest myths surrounding IVF
1. Myth: IVF babies are not as healthy as normal babies
One of the most common IVF myths is that babies born via this procedure are not as healthy as babies conceived naturally. Both the experts debunked the myth, explaining that there is no link between IVF and baby’s health.
Dr. Vaishali explained, “IVF babies are just as normal and healthy as any other baby. The only difference is how the egg and sperm meet—in a lab instead of inside the body. After that, everything is the same. Many large studies around the world have shown that IVF children grow up just like any other child in terms of health, development, and intelligence.”
Dr. Supriya added, “There is no proven link between IVF and birth defects or early delivery. Almost all IVF babies are born healthy and on time, considering factors such as the couple’s age and health. Sometimes IVF pregnancies may be labelled “high-risk” due to the couple’s age or underlying medical issues, not because of the IVF process itself.”
2. Myth: You can delay childbearing indefinitely because IVF is always an option
Another myth is that IVF gives you the freedom to delay pregnancy. Dr. Vaishali Chaudhary clarified that IVF cannot reverse the effects of biological age on reproductive health.
Dr. Vaishali said, “Age still matters—even with IVF. IVF does not reverse the natural decline in egg quality and quantity as a woman ages. After the age of 35, fertility drops faster, and after 40, chances become significantly lower. IVF may help, but success rates reduce with age, and the risk of miscarriage increases.”
3. Myth: IVF is always the first treatment for infertility
Dr. Surpriya recommends not to jump on IVF as soon as you have trouble conceiving. She said doctors usually suggest simpler solutions to conceive before suggesting IVF. She said that IVF is not the first course of action to treat infertility.
She explained, “IVF is not the first step in fertility treatment. Before resorting to In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF), doctors usually recommend less complex treatments such as ovulation induction, timed intercourse, or intrauterine insemination (IUI). Only in cases where other treatments fail or when factors such as blocked fallopian tubes, low sperm counts, or advanced age make IVF more feasible does the doctor recommend IVF.”
4. Myth: Infertility is mostly the woman’s problem
It is a common misconception that inability to conceive usually stems from infertility in women. Dr. Vaishali defied the myth, explaining that male infertility matters just as much.
“Male infertility is just as common. In about 40% to 50% of cases, problems with sperm—like low count, poor movement, or shape—can affect fertility. That’s why both partners should get tested together. Blaming one person only delays the right treatment,” Dr. Vaishali Chaudhary explained.
5. Myth: IVF guarantees pregnancy
One of the other common IVF myths is that it always guarantees pregnancy. There is a success scale of IVF that depends on a number of factors. There is always a certain percentage of success depending on every individual case.
Dr. Supriya said, “IVF improves your chances, but it doesn’t promise success. The chances of success are greatly influenced by a number of factors, including age, the woman’s reproductive system, the quality of her eggs, the health of male partner’ sperm, and the couple’s overall reproductive health. IVF is very effective, but it’s important to realise that it’s not a replacement for holistic health, even though the success rate can range from 35% to 70% and some couples may require multiple cycles.”
6. Myth: IVF is only for older women or serious cases
Dr. Vaishali also said that it is a myth that IVF is only for women in their late thirties. She said IVF is also helpful to women who are battling infertility issues due to other reasons.
“IVF helps many types of patients—not just older women. IVF is useful in cases of PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) in women, low sperm count in men, unexplained infertility in couples, together with cases where embryo genetic testing is required. Also, it helps in cases where individuals wish to preserve their fertility before undergoing treatments like chemotherapy,” Dr. Supriya elaborated.
7. Myth: If IVF fails once, it won’t work again
As discussed earlier, IVF could fail on the first or even second try. But Dr. Supriya listed the fact behind the myth that IVF will not work if it fails once.
The expert said, “Many couples get pregnant in the second or third attempt. The doctor learns how a woman’s body responds to each cycle of IVF which allows customization to improve outcomes with different medicines, better timing, and superior techniques. Success rates can be enhanced over time with newer techniques such as embryo freezing, genetic evaluation, and donor programs.”
8. Myth: IVF goes against culture or tradition
IVF is still considered a taboo or foreign concept in India, especially in the conservative regions where there is lack of awareness about fertility problems. Dr. Vaishali is loud and clear about the morality issues surrounding IVF.
Dr. Vaishali said, “IVF is a medical treatment, not a social or moral issue. Just like people wear glasses when eyesight is weak, IVF helps when natural conception is difficult. Today, families from all walks of life—including in smaller towns—are embracing IVF without shame. Infertility is not a fault. It’s a condition—and medical science has answers.”
Social and lead images credits: Freepik
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