Reasons Why Infertile Couples Do Not Opt for IVF Treatment

IVF treatment can be a boon for many infertile couples. It has established itself as an effective treatment option and has a high success rate. Inspite of this, why is it that even today many infertile couples opt out of this option? There are many educated couples who are aware of IVF , but who refuse to do IVF,  thereby reducing their own prospects of having a baby. There are several arguments that these couples put forward against IVF. Sometimes it is their own attitude which is responsible, while at other times it is relatives, family doctors or other IVF patients who turn them away from IVF.

Not all infertile couples are able to afford IVF treatment.  It is definitely expensive. Sadly, most insurance companies fail to cover this procedure , which complicates the situation further. Financial pressure is one of the major reasons why patients avoid IVF.


Many husbands are reluctant to do IVF because they feel they should be able to make a baby in their bedroom if they give it enough time.  They feel that resorting to IVF is an affront to their manhood.

Numerous misconceptions and horror tales told by IVF patients can also give prospective patients a misconstrued impression of IVF. Many couples are still under the impression that IVF is an artificial procedure. They feel that the babies conceived by IVF are weak and are at increased risk for birth defects because we are manipulating eggs, sperm and embryos in the lab. Others believe that the hormonal injections given during the treatment have adverse side effects. Patients who have failed IVF cycles in the past are also happy to share distorted horror stories about IVF.

Unfortunately some doctors also end up depriving patients of IVF treatment. Many infertile couples initially consult a gynecologist for management of their infertility. Some gynecologists advise them against IVF because they are afraid of losing their patients to IVF specialists. Often they lack proper knowledge of the details of IVF themselves. Incompetent IVF specialists contribute to this situation because of their low success rates, which end up giving all IVF doctors a bad reputation. This causes patients to lose trust in IVF doctors.

Patients can easily overcome these hurdles by empowering themselves and arming themselves with knowledge about IVF. This will help them make the right decision about whether or not to do IVF – and where to do it as well.

IVF treatment can prove to be beneficial for many infertile couples so it is essential that they do their homework and make a well0informed decision.