In recent times, In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) has gained a lot of popularity among those struggling with fertility issues. IVF is a fertility treatment that involves removing an egg from the woman’s ovaries, fertilising it with sperm in a lab, and then placing the fertilised egg back into the woman’s womb.
Reportedly, more than five lakh IVF deliveries happen every year worldwide, and one crore babies have been born from IVF, suggesting the effectiveness of the treatment. However, as opposed to popular belief, IVF is not just a female fertility treatment, as it can also help treat male infertility.
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Why IVF Is Not Just A Female Fertility Treatment
Dr Manika Khanna, Founder of Gaudium IVF and Renowned Expert in Reproductive Medicine, says, “IVF is often associated primarily with female fertility, but it’s a treatment designed to address both male and female infertility.”
She shares that in many cases, male infertility plays an equally significant role in couples struggling to conceive.
According to StatPearls Publishing, the male is solely responsible in about 20% of cases and is a contributing factor in another 30-40% of all infertility cases.
“Overall, the male factor substantially contributes to about 50% of all cases of infertility,” the research notes.
As per Dr Khanna, male infertility can arise from several issues, including low sperm count, poor motility, abnormal sperm shape, or blockages in the reproductive tract.
She suggests that with techniques like Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI), even men with low sperm count or motility issues can achieve successful fertilisation. ICSI is a fertility treatment that’s performed as part of IVF, which involves the injection of a single sperm directly into an eff to help achieve fertilisation.
“At Gaudium IVF, we focus on a holistic approach by thoroughly assessing both partners, ensuring that every possible factor contributing to infertility is addressed,” the doctor highlights.
How Does IVF Work For Men?
Explaining the process of IVF in men, Dr Khanna says, “While IVF treatments for female infertility generally focus on stimulating the ovaries to produce viable eggs, the focus for male infertility is on ensuring that the sperm can fertilise the egg, even if sperm count or motility is low. Techniques like ICSI allow us to inject a single sperm directly into an egg, overcoming challenges like poor sperm quality or low numbers and improving the chances of conception.”
When asked whether sperm quality plays a role in the success of the treatment, the doctor says that it is crucial for natural conception, but with IVF, especially using ICSI, we only need one healthy sperm to fertilise an egg.
Therefore, even with a low sperm count, IVF significantly improves the chances of conception.
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Success Rate Of IVF For Male Infertility
“At Gaudium IVF, we’ve seen countless success stories where male infertility was a significant challenge, yet we were able to help couples fulfil their dream of parenthood,” says Dr Khanna.
She adds, “The outcome depends on various factors, but with the right interventions, many couples can overcome male infertility. The IVF process remains largely the same, with both partners undergoing specific evaluations and treatments, from sperm collection to embryo transfer, supported by personalised care at every stage.”
According to the Cleveland Clinic, about 6 in 10 IVF procedures take place using ICSI, and it is estimated that 50–80% of attempts result in fertilisation.
Dr Khanna concludes by saying that at Gaudium IVF, we offer success rates that are well above global benchmarks, even in cases where male infertility is the primary issue.